Circa: 1860’s

A Chatham Prison Officer's Sword by Parker Field & Sons of 233 Holborn, London.

The blade has “Chatham Prison” etched in large letters to one side of the blade and “Parker Field & Sons, Holborn, London” to the other. The hilt is made of steel with steel-mounted leather scabbard, the first stamped with a British military broad arrow on the locket. The grip is ribbed in shagreen leather showing some wear. The blade has a double-edged point that shows signs of having been resharpened.

William Parker started work at his premises at 233 Holborn in 1793 and continued there until his death in 1841. Following Parker’s death his will bequeathed the gun making business to his son-in-law Field on the condition that it continued under the name of Parker Field. The business remained at 233 Holborn until 1877 and was only demolished in 1935.

It is said that these swords were issued to senior officers of the Victorian prison service following the Chatham Prison riot in 1861, according to historical events the prison riot spilled over to several ‘prison hulks’ (decommissioned naval ships converted in to floating prisons). The Royal Marines finally suppressed the prison riot of 1861 and a great many of the Chatham prison guards were sacked and replaced by the stricter disciplinarian guards of Pentonville Prison.