OFFICERS CEREMONIAL SWORD & LEATHER SCABBARD - OLD COAT OF ARMS

South Africa became a Republic in 1961 and at about the same time Britain imposed an arms embargo. This resulted in the stopping of imported swords - the firm of Wilkinson in Britain being the main supplier. Officers for the South African Defence Force and the South African Police carried swords in full dress at this time. After the change of Government in 1994 swords were taken away - although the Territorial Regiments still have them for their officers' and senior N.C.O.'s.

To obtain new swords, firms in Solingen, Germany were asked to supply - which they did. The one shown here is for officers' below General.