'I hired plumber to fix boiler and was gobsmacked over valuable find he made'

One woman expected a plumber to fix the issue that she hired him for when she called him up recently. However, she was left amazed by what he found in her home while on the job.

Helen Metcalfe, known on X as @BlondiieMama, took to the site recently to tell her 6,191 followers what her plumber stumbled up while in her house. However, a lot more people ended up reading the post as it went viral – being viewed more than 49,000 times. Sharing the eye-opening story, Helen wrote: "While replacing my boiler, the plumber commented, 'That sword is the most exciting thing I’ve seen in anyone’s attic!'"

Helen revealed she replied: "Sorry, what?," to the plumber before sharing a photo of the sword in question.

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Revealing more information she'd found about the sword, she then added: "I’ve so far discovered it was made between 1805 and 1954 by Wilkinson Sword Co Ltd, who used to make swords for the infantry."

People were amazed over the discovery, as one person exclaimed: "Great find," while another speculated: "That looks like an RAF pattern sword, privately purchased by RAF officers, not issued. Bloody expensive."

Another person added: "This is a Royal Navy officers ceremonial dress sword - I have one for my No.1s uniform. They are not cheap, so this is a great find!"

Helen replied: "Thank you! It has an eagle on the crest instead of an anchor, so I think it’s RAF?"

Someone else also added: "Yes this is an RAF officer’s sword."

Others suggested Helen should get down to the Antiques Roadshow to get it valued, as one person wrote: "

Antiques road show here we come!" Another added: "That is very exciting. I might be seeing this on Antiques Roadshow in the future."

How much could the sword be worth?

The value of Royal Air Force (RAF) swords varies based on factors such as age, manufacturer, condition, and historical significance.

Modern and reproduction RAF swords range from about £225-£650, depending on quality and detailing.

Meanwhile Older or antique RAF swords, especially those from the George V era (1910–1936) or earlier, can command higher prices – ranging from £850 to more than £1,000.

Tips for assessing value

• Condition: Swords in great condition, with minimal wear and original features, are more valuable
• Provenance: Documentation or a known history can significantly increase value
• Manufacturer: Swords made by reputable manufacturers like Wilkinson Sword are often more sought after
• Era: Older swords, especially those from significant periods like WWI or WWII, tend to be more valuable