Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood
Lot 221
An American Naval Officer's sabre, reputedly the former property of Captain William Howard Allen of the USS Argus, circa 1812:, the curved single edge fullered blade with blued steel and gilt floral decoration, one side with the American Coat of Arms of a bald eagle with olive branch and arrows in its talons supporting a shield, the shield with fifteen Stars over Stripes, gilt brass Acanthus langets, single sea serpent quillon and floral scroll cast guard, one piece chequered ivory grip and cast eagle head pommel, in a gilt brass mounted black leather scabbard with double suspension loop, blade length, 73cm.*Notes-Commander William Henry Allen was born in Providence, Rhode Island 1784 and entered service with the US Navy as a midshipman in April 1880. He received the rank of Commander in July 1813 and Captained the brig USS Argus, eluding the British blockade off the Atlantic coast and undertook a successful commerce raid on merchant shipping in the English Channel and Irish Sea. After the capture of nineteen ships, the Admiralty sent out orders for all ships to hunt down the Argus and on the 14th August 1813, HMS Pelican sighted the Argus 15 miles southwest of St David's Head and engaged her. Though the Argus was faster, Allen decided to engage HMS Pelican and early on during the battle he was mortally wounded by cannon fire. HMS Pelican captured the Argus and she was taken to Plymouth. Though the Argus ship's surgeon had amputated Allen's leg, his condition deteriorated and he was moved to Mill Prison Hospital where he was attended by Sir George Magrath. Captain Allen died on the 18th August from his injuries. He was buried on the 21st August 1813 with full military honours.It is believed that Sir George Magrath was presented with Captain Allen's sword after the funeral and it remained in his possession until his death in 1857. Upon his death, Sir George left his whole property to his nurse of five years Miss Palmer. The sword was acquired by the current owner when the family estate was sold at auction in Plymouth during the 1970s/80s.
