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An Extremely Rare Naval Officer's Sword Presented By The Duke Of Clarence image 1

An Extremely Rare Naval Officer's Sword Presented By The Duke Of Clarence image 2

An Extremely Rare Naval Officer's Sword Presented By The Duke Of Clarence image 3

Lot 212

An Extremely Rare Naval Officer's Sword Presented By The Duke Of Clarence
By S. Brunn, Sword Cutler To H.R.H. The Prince Regent, 55 Charing Cross, London, Circa 1801-3

29 April 2010, 11:00 BST

London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £6,600 inc. premium

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An Extremely Rare Naval Officer's Sword Presented By The Duke Of Clarence
By S. Brunn, Sword Cutler To H.R.H. The Prince Regent, 55 Charing Cross, London, Circa 1801-3

With straight tapering fullered blade bright over half its length and double-edged towards the point, the forte etched and gilt against a blued ground on one side with foliage, a martial trophy and crowned post 1801 royal arms and mottoes, the back of the blade with bladesmith's name 'J.J. Runkel, Solingen', gilt hilt comprising lozenge-shaped langets, the outer one enamelled in red, blue and white with the arms of the Duke of Clarence within a belt of the Order of the Garter, the inner one probably originally with the enamelled arms of the recipient (missing), flat rear quillon with waisted faceted point, knuckle-guard with central swelling engraved with crossed branches on each side, and with a bullion and red cloth sword-knot, the red velvet and silk tassel embroidered with a Garter star on each side in bullion threads and spangles, coffin-shaped pommel engraved en suite and with a fouled anchor on each side, the back with further crowned fouled anchor, the top engraved with a circular branch around a diagonal bar and surmounted by a button, and flattened swelling grip bound with twisted silver wire, in original black leather scabbard (some wear overall) with linear engraved gilt mounts comprising locket, chape (gilding worn off) and suspension mount, the first signed in full on one side and with foliate frog-stud on the other, two rings for suspension, and retaining much of its original finish overall
83 cm. blade

Footnotes

The Duke of Clarence, later King William IV, was known as the 'Sailor Prince'. He entered the Navy in 1779, attained the rank of Captain in 1786 and was best man at Nelson's wedding in 1787. He gave a number of swords to naval officers who had distinguished themselves in various ways. At first, the swords he gave were similar to those carried by certain cavalry regiments from the early 1790s and are sometimes refered to as 'coffin pommel' swords. Later, the Duke gave swords which adhered to the 1805 and the 1827 patterns. These swords had gilt bronze plaques set into the grip engraved with the arms of the Duke on one side and the arms of the recipient on the other

The 'coffin pommel' swords, unfortunately, bear no indication as to who the recipient might have been, however a sword in the National Maritime Museum (no. 122) is engraved as being presented to Admiral Duckworth for St. Domingo but it is thought that the inscription was added later. The Maritime Museum also holds a letter from the Duke to Admiral Collingwood, asking him to accept a sword for Trafalgar, in which he notes that he also gave swords to Earl St. Vincent and to Nelson. There is also a contemporary report that the Duke gave a sword of this type to Captain Phillip Durham who was involved in Warren's action and captured the French frigate La Loire. When in London, Durham was summoned to Court where he met the Duke who took off his own sword and sword-belt and presented them to Durham in recognition of his heroic action. It may well be that the Duke made other such awards and it is impossible to say just how spontaneous or contrived these presentations were

This sword is the only one of this type known which would have identified the recipient. Because it was obviously intended to be a planned presentation and because of the quality compared with the other examples known, it is likely that it was given to a senior officer, probably involved in a fleet action. One can only speculate as to who the recipient was and further research may reveal their identity

For a further discussion regarding these swords see Sim Comfort, Naval Swords & Dirks, 2008 (EW80), pp. 150-154. For more information on the maker see Leslie Southwick, London Silver-hilted Swords ..., 2001, pp. 58-59

Additional information

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