Wallis & Wallis
Lot 660
A good Volunteer officer’s sword, c 1798, of Lieut Col Kearsley, curved, shallow fullered blade 30½”, blued and gilt all round at forte, with “Lieut. Col. Kearsley” on backstrap, “Dawes Birmingham” on floral panel on one side, and “Warranted” in similar panel on the other, plainly etched for remainder of blade with trophy of arms, pre 1801 R Arms and supporters, and figure of Justice on one side, and wreath, crowned ornate GR cypher and Britannia standing, on the other, gilt stirrup hilt with crossguard and quillon, sideloop enclosing a grenade (small fracture), facetted knucklebow into lion’s head pommel and facetted backstrap, wirebound ivory grip (2 tiny chips at top), in its tooled and panelled leather scabbard with gilt locket and frog stud, middle band and chape, with 2 rings. Near VGC for age, the hilt and scabbard mounts retaining approx 85% original gilt (plain section of blade cleaned) Plate 6 Note: With a photostat from Army List for N America showing John Kearsley, Lieutenant, Sept 1779. The Volunteer Army List for 1799 shows John Kearsley, Lt Colonel, 2nd Battn Manchester & Salford Volunteers
