Light infantry undress sword which belonged to a 'J.B.F.', which could be Captain John B. Finlaison R.M. (circa 1900). The hilt guard is of steel in the form of a thin, pierced half-basket which bears the cypher of Queen Victoria surmounted by her crown. The grip is of grey fish-skin bound with silver wire. The plain, domed pommel is decorated with lines and surmounted by a prominent tang button. The back-piece is of steel decorated with a diagonal check pattern and extends to a ferrule,11mm long, decorated with lines. The sword knot is of flat gold lace decorated with three red threads, the knot itself being an elongated pearshape.

The blade is of uniform taper, straight and has a false edge 152mm long. The cutting edge begins 356mm from the guard. The blade is flat-backed and has a fuller each side which begins 30mm from the guard and is 254mm long. The obverse is engraved with the Star of David bearing a brass proof mark reading 'PROOVED T', foliage, the foliated initials 'JBF', a wreath of foliage, a Tudor crown surmounted by rays, foliage, and a scroll. On the reverse is the maker's name, foliage, a gap, foliage, the Royal arms, a Tudor crown surmounted by rays, foliage, and a scroll. The mid-brown polished leather scabbard has a steel top locket and steel chape and drag. A leather collar, 56mm long, bears signs of having had a strap attached to secure the scabbard in the frog of a Sam Brown belt. Mid locket: collar instead. The maker was 'E.THURKLE, SOHO, LONDON' and this must be Edward Thurkle who was at 5, Denmark St, Soho from 1876 to 1899. The date of the sword is given as '1897' as the sword was introduced into the marines in that year.

Colonel Finlaison was born 10 Febuary 1870; 2nd Lt. RMLI 1890; Lieutenant 1891; Captain 1898; Major 1909; Lt-Colonel 1916; Colonel 1921; retired 1927.