31 Jul 2012
13:00 BST
Oxford
The Gary Bates Collection of Swords and Militaria.Part 1
Back to auction 19838
The Gary Bates Collection of Swords and Militaria.Part 1
Back to auction 19838
A Georgian Agate Hilted Mameluke Presentation Sabre
84cm pipe-backed blade double edged towards the point by Salter & Co, sparsely etched with foliage and scrolls against a false damascus ground and with two large panels originally containing inscriptions now removed, the mameluke hilt with agate grip (chipped) from a khanjar with gilt rosettes, gilt crossguard cast with scrolls and trophies, the outer face with a removable disc which reveals the owner's crest, in its fish skin covered wood scabbard with extensive gilt mounts engraved with scrolls and foliage, fixed suspension rings cast with lions and foliage. (Slight damage to scabbard and shoe missing from chape)
Sold for
£7,500
inc. premium
Footnotes
- It would appear that the inscription has been deliberately removed to hide the identity of the recipient.
The crest is that of William-Whyndham Grenville, 1st and last Lord Grenville of Wooton-under-Burnwood, Bucks. B.1759 - d.1834.
Grenville was an orator and statesman of high repute and filled some of the most important ministerial offices during the reign of King George III and was elevated to the peerage in 1790.
He was appointed a Major Commanding in the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry Cavalry 31/05/1798, though holding no prior appointment in the regiment since its inception in May 1795. He held this position until the signing of the Peace of Amiens.
Upon the renewal of hostilities in 1803, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the (1st or Southern Regiment) Buckinghamshire Yeomanry Cavalry. Lord Grenville held this position until his retirement in 1813, and this sword possibly dates from this time.
He served as Prime Minister from 1806-1807.
A kingsman, George Grenville, the 1st and last Lord Glastonbury (d.1826) also employed the same arms and crest but did not serve in any military capacity. No other member of the peerage employed this crest at this time.
Category: Arms and Armour
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