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Click here to subscribeTHREE VICTORIAN BANDSMANS SHORTSWORDS, MID-19TH CENTURY the first with fullered blade, regulation brass hilt cast with the Royal cypher `VR`, in its brass-mounted leather scabbard; the second with broad blade, and brass hilt cast with a strung bugle; and the third with broad blade, and white metal hilt cast with the cypher `VR, in leather scabbard (worn throughout) the first: 48cm; 19in (3)
AN 1897 PATTERN INDIAN INFANTRY OFFICER`S SWORD, TWO 1897 PATTERN INFANTRY OFFICER`S SWORDS, A VICTORIAN RIFLE REGIMENT OFFICER`S SWORD the first with etched blade including the cypher `GRI`, in its field service scabbard and complete with its leather sword case with the initials `E.M.R.` ; the second with etched blade, in its scabbard; the third with plain blade inscribed `Albert Adams 1915`, in its field service scabbard and later cover; and the fourth with etched blade, in their scabbards the first: 82.5cm; 32 1/2in blade (4)
A FINE SCOTTISH SILVER-HILTED PRESENTATION SWORD TO CAPTAIN ALEXANDER EWING BY THE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS & PRIVATES OF THE GLASGOW YEOMANRY CAVALRY, BY RAIT & SONS BUCHANAN STREET, GLASGOW, LONDON SILVER HALLMARKS FOR 1868 with regulation type blade based on the 1845 pattern, etched over almost its entire surface with elaborate patterns of scrolling foliage, a pineapple, trophies, a Royal crown, and the maker`s details on one side, and further designs of foliage, trophies, the presentation inscription and the owner`s crested coat-of-arms and motto on the other, silver half-basket hilt cast, pierced and chased in low relief on the outer surface with a ground of strapwork carrying bold scrolls of foliage, flowers and acorn fruit and foliage all within a beadwork frame, stamped with London hallmarks and the maker`s mark `DW` over `JW` in a square the back-strap rising to a cap pommel and each chiselled with a solid design en suite with the guard, banded ivory grip bound with plaited silver wire, in its silver-plated scabbard, engraved at the base, in the middle and at the top with designs of oak fruit and foliage, thistles and scrolls all on a hatched ground, and remaining in fine untouched condition throughout, together with his seal and grant of arms 87.5cm; 34 1/2in blade (2) The presentation inscription reads in full: `PRESENTED [ON HIS PROMOTION] TO CAPTAIN ALEXANDER EWING. OF A TROOP. QUEEN`S OWN ROYAL REGIMENT OF GLASGOW YEOMANRY CAVALRY, BY THE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS & PRIVATES UNDER HIS COMMAND IN TOKEN OF THEIR RESPECT & ATTACHMENT. 1868.` Alexander Ewing was descended from the Dunbartonshire family, the Ewings of Keppoch, and appears to have been associated with the Queen`s Own Glasgow and Lower Ward of Lanarkshire Yeomanry Cavalry from its inception in 1848: he is recorded as having signed the Oath of Allegiance immediately prior to the forming of the regiment. Ewing is said to have been born on 6th August 1810, the son of Alexander Ewing (d. 1858), and may have served in the ranks of the yeomanry for ten years before being commissioned cornet in the regiment on 11th November 1858. Promoted lieutenant on 24th April 1863, he was promoted captain on 16th April 1868 - when the men of his troop, `A` Troop, presented him with this silver-mounted sword. Ewing`s regiment received its Royal title in 1849, following a visit by Queen Victoria to Glasgow during which the regiment found the escort to the Queen. The regiment was deployed - reasonably peacefully - in Aid to the Civil Power against striking coalminers in 1856, participated in the Volunteer Review on Glasgow Green in 1861 and had one troop involved in the sham fight known as the `Battle of Pollok` in 1861. Ewing married Maria, daughter of Robert Macauley of Glenoak, County Antrim, on 3rd December 1840 and the couple had two sons, Robert and Alexander; Alexander was commissioned into his father`s yeomanry regiment as a sub-lieutenant on 1st March 1875. Alexander Ewing, senior, who was a Justice of the Peace for Glasgow and who may have been a senior partner in the corn factoring business of Ewing, Angus & Co., died on 13th March 1876 and his son resigned his commission the following year. Both Alexander Ewing`s sons moved to England late in the 19th century, owning properties in Hertfordshire and Kent, and the family ceased at that point to have any connection with Scotland. See Anon 1949 and Burke`s 1906.
A FINE PRESENTATION SWORD TO MAJOR ROBERT TORRENS BY THE NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, DRUMMERS AND PRIVATES OF THE ROYAL MARINES AT ANHOLT, BY HENRY TATHAM, SWORD CUTLER TO THE KING, DATED 1811 with curved blade double-edged towards the point and etched in imitation of Damascus steel, etched and gilt on one side with entwined fronds enclosing allegorical figures including Victory and with a pair of addorsed marine monsters at the base, the other side etched with scrolling foliage terminating in a fouled anchor, with the presentation inscription and further designs of scrolling foliage (worn, the gilding with extensive losses), gilt-brass hilt comprising flattened slightly down-turned quillon, cross-piece chiselled in imitation of bound cord, knuckle-guard with conventional foliage and cap pommel cast and chased with classical trophies on each face and a lion mask on top, ebony grip fitted with a gilt-brass ferrule en suite with the sides of the pommel, finely inlaid over its surface with leafy tendrils, and differing flowers, inset on each side with a silver plaque cast and chased with Hercules slaying the Nemean lion, and with a silver fasces running along the back-edge, in its original scabbard almost entirely encased in pierced and chased gilt brass, comprising spirally moulded chape with a pair of batwings at the top, openwork middle section decorated with oak fruit and foliage revealing blue velvet beneath (possibly restored), entwined serpents at the chape, the middle band and the locket, the latter two with a lion mask impaled by a Caduceus, the locket inscribed Anholt` on one side and with the maker`s details `Henry Tatham, Sword Cutler to the King, London` on the other, a pair of spirally moulded integral loops for a belt, complete with its original belt of blue velvet backed with morocco, the velvet embroidered with gilt oak foliage and fruit, with its gilt-brass fittings including entwined anchors and lion mask bosses en suite with the hilt and scabbard, and the brass parts remaining in fine condition throughout 79cm; 31 1/8in blade The inscription reads: `PRESENTED BY THE NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, DRUMMERS AND PRIVATES OF THE ROYAL MARINES IN GARRISON AT ANHOLT, TO THEIR GALLANT AND HUMANE COMMANDER MAJOR ROBERT TORRENS IN TOKEN OF THEIR ADMIRATION OF HIS BRAVERY ON THE XXVII OF MARCH MDCCCXI, AND IN GRATITUDE FOR HIS KIND CONSIDERATION OF THEIR INDIVIDIUAL COMFORT AND HAPPINESS. ` This sabre is one of two swords presented to Captain Robert Torrens, Royal Marines, in recognition of his services in the defence of the Baltic island of Anholt against Danish forces in March 1811 (Field, 1924, I, p. 231). While the sabre offered here was presented to him by the NCOs and men under his command, the other sword - of small-sword form, 100 guineas` value and mounted in silver-gilt by Richard Teed - was presented to him by his officers: it is now in the collections of the Royal Marines Museum, Eastney, Hampshire (2002.40), together with Torrens`s Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840 with clasp Anholt (1987.45). The existence of two swords presented to the same man for the same action clearly indicates that Torrens was a man who inspired considerable regard from his subordinates; posterity, however, has remembered him not as the Defender of Anholt but as a leading contributor to the science of Political Economy. Robert Torrens was an Ulsterman, born in about 1780. He was commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the Corps of Marines in February 1796 and promoted 1st lieutenant in November 1797, becoming a captain in the Royal Marines in July 1806. Prior to his being posted to Anholt in the Baltic, Torrens is said to have served on ships of the Channel Fleet and at Copenhagen in 1807 (Fetter, 1990; p. 546). The island of Anholt, in the Kattegat, had been captured from Denmark and occupied in May 1809, shortly afterwards being commissioned by the Royal Navy as a 50-gun ship, placed under the command of Captain James Wilkes Maurice R.N. (1775-1857) and allocated a garrison of Royal Marines. Strategically significant both for Britain`s pursuit of the Baltic trade and her blockade of Napoleon`s continental empire, Anholt was rapidly put into a state of defence against expected attempts by Denmark to recapture it; in August 1810 Torrens was posted to the island to command its Royal Marines garrison, comprising 350 infantry and 31 artillerymen. In the spring of 1811, Denmark assembled an assault force of gunboats and troop-transports, carrying approximately 1000 troops, and, before dawn on 27th March 1811, the first waves of this force attacked Anholt on two sides, the troops quickly establishing a beach-head on the southern shore while the gunboats fired on British positions. Outnumbered by the Danes, Maurice and Torrens withdrew the Marines to prepared fortified positions and signals were sent, requesting immediate assistance, to the Royal Navy`s ships Sheldrake, Tartar and Anholt. The Royal Marines` artillery fire and musketry caused heavy casualties among the Danes, who were caught in cross-fires in exposed positions, and the advent of Tartar and Anholt caused the Danish gunboats to retire, leaving the assault force unsupported and without hope of rescue. Royal Naval gunnery from the ships combined with that of the Royal Marine Artillery from Anholt`s forts to make the Danish position rapidly untenable and the forces on the northern and southern shores capitulated, having lost several senior officers among casualties of about 200. Maurice allowed the Danish reserve to re-embark but secured nearly 700 prisoners. Torrens was wounded during the action but continued to lead and inspire his men and was rewarded in April 1811 with the brevet rank of major, returning to England at about that time. The defence of Anholt was publicised as a major triumph for British arms and the island remained in British hands until the summer of 1813 (Fraser, 1930). Apart from participating in the attack on Antwerp in February 1814, Torrens saw no further active service but he remained in the Royal Marines until 1834, being given the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel in 1819, spending the period 1823-30 on half-pay, being promoted major in the Marines in 1831 and selling out in 1834. In that period, he was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and served as a Member of Parliament - for Ipswich 1826-27, Ashburton 1831-32 and Bolton 1832-34. In the last 30 years of his life he was active in promoting the colonisation of South Australia and New Zealand, particularly in relation to Irish immigrants. While his work and extensive writing as a political economist earned him fame and income, his political unorthodoxy, uncompromising manner and obvious personal ambition gained him few firm allies; he died in London in 1864. See F.W. Fetter, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 545-549; C. Field, 1924, Vol. I, pp. 226-231; E. Fraser & L.G. Carr-Laughton, 1930, Vol. I, pp. 164-176; and P. Moore 2004.
A RARE 1805 PATTERN NAVAL OFFICER`S SWORD MADE FOR REAR ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS USSHER BY SAMUEL BRUNN, 56 CHARING CROSS, LONDON with tapering regulation blade of hollow-diamond section, etched and gilt on a blued panel with the crowned Royal arms enclosed by foliage, the figure of Brittania and a putto on one side and foliage, the Royal arms for 1801-16, the figure of Neptune and further designs of foliage on the other (the upper portion with small chips and areas of pitting), gilt-brass stirrup hilt cast with a fouled anchor on the langets, the back-strap and pommel finely chased as a maned lion`s head, banded ivory grip bound with gilt-wire, set with a gilt-brass plaque engraved with the owner`s crest (the reverse plaque missing, stirrup-guard loose), in its original leather scabbard with gilt-brass chape, middle bands and locket (leather worn, seam split), each engraved with border panels filled with foliage, the locket and middle band each with a suspension ring chased with key pattern, the former engraved `Brunn sword Cutler to the Prince Regent and HRH the Duke of Clarence 56 Charing Cross London`, and retaining much original gilding throughout 81.3cm; 32in blade Samuel Brunn is recorded at 56 Charing Cross circa 1803-19. The crest is that of Ussher of Ballysaggartmore, County Waterford, Ireland. Sir Thomas Ussher (1779-1848) entered the navy in January 1791 on board the Squirrel on the home station and on the west coast of Africa; afterwards, in the Invincible, he was present in the action of 1 June 1794; and in 1795-6 was successively in the Prince George, Glory, and Thunderer, flagships of Sir Hugh Cloberry Christian, by whom he was appointed acting lieutenant of the Minotaur. In that capacity he served on shore with a party of seamen at the reduction of St. Lucia in May 1796. He was afterwards acting lieutenant of the Pelican brig, was confirmed in the rank on 17 July 1797, was repeatedly engaged with the French or Spanish privateers, and on 5 April 1798, in attempting to cut out one lying in the Augustine River near Cumberland Harbour (Guantanamo) in Cuba, he was severely wounded in the right thigh. While in the Pelican he is said to have been in upwards of twenty boat engagements with the enemy. In May 1799 he was appointed to the Trent, and in her returned to England in September 1800. The effect of his many wounds obliged him to remain on shore for some months; but in June 1801 he was appointed to command the Nox cutter, stationed at Weymouth in attendance on the king. In September 1803 he commanded the Joseph cutter, and in April 1804 the Colpoys brig attached to the fleet of Brest under Admiral (Sir William) Cornwallis. His vigilance and energy in quest of intelligence repeatedly obtained the admiral`s approval. Later on the Colpoys was employed in the Bay of Biscay and on the north coast of Spain. On 21st March 1806 Ussher was awarded a Lloyds £50 sword for the capture of three Spanish luggers at Avillas. On 18 October 1806 he was promoted to the rank of commander and appointed to the Redwing sloop, in which he was chiefly employed in protecting the trade against the Spanish gunboats and privateers near Gibraltar. On this service he was repeatedly engaged with the gunboats or armed vessels, often against a great numerical superiority, and especially on 7 May 1808, near Cape Trafalgar, where he fell in with seven armed vessels convoying twelve coasters. Of the nineteen, three only escaped, eight of the others being sunk and eight taken; the loss of men to the enemy in killed, drowned, and prisoners, was returned as 240. On Lord Collingwood`s report of this and other gallant services, Ussher was promoted to post rank by commission dated 24 May 1808. On his return home he was entertained at Dublin at a public dinner, and presented with the freedom of the city. In 1809 he commanded the Leyden in the operations in the Scheldt; and in 1811-12 the 26-gun frigate Hyacinth in the Mediterranean, where, on 29 April 1812, he led a boat attack against several privateers moored in the port of Malaga, and, in face of a murderous musketry fire from the shore, which killed or wounded 68 out of 149, brought out two of the largest privateers, and did what damage he could to the others. Although the enterprise was not fully successful, the commander-in-chief and the admiralty signified their entire approval of Ussher`s conduct, and in October he was moved to the Euryalus of thirty-six guns, from which, in February 1814, he was again moved to the Undaunted. In both of these he was employed in the blockade of Toulon and along the south coast of France. In April 1814, being in the Undaunted close to Marseilles, a deputation, consisting of the mayor and chief men of the city, came on board to acquaint him of Napoleon`s abdication and of the formation of a provisional government. Almost immediately afterwards he received instructions to prepare to convey the ex-emperor to Elba, and at Fréjust on 28 April received him on board. On the 30th he anchored at Porto Ferrajo, and on 3 May Napoleon landed. The Undaunted remained at Elba till the ex-emperor`s baggage had been landed from the transports, and then sailed for Genoa. In the end of June Ussher was moved into the Duncan of seventy-four guns, in which he shortly afterwards returned to England. On 4 June 1815 he was nominated a C.B.; on 2 Dec. 1815 was awarded a pension of 200l. a year for wounds; on 24 July 1830 was appointed equerry to Queen Adelaide, and in 1831 was made a K.C.H. and was knighted. From 1831 to 1838 he was successively superintendent to the dockyards at Bermuda and Halifax; he was promoted to be rear-admiral on 9 Nov. 1846, and in July 1847 was appointed commander-in-chief at Queenstown, where he died on 6 Jan. 1848. Taken from the Dictionary of National Biography.
A BRITISH NAVAL DIRK, CIRCA 1820 with tapering blade etched with foliage, scrolls, trophies-of-arms and a fouled anchor on the respective faces, gilt-brass cross-piece cast with foliage in low relief, turned ivory grip (closed cracks), gilt-brass ferrule at the base, in its leather scabbard with brass locket and middle-band each with a ring for suspension (chape missing) 35.5cm; 14in From the collection of Wilhelm, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg and Duke in Brunswick-Bevern (1806-64).
A FINE SILVER GILT DAGGER, 18TH CENTURY, POSSIBLY VENETIAN with tapering reinforced blade of hollow-diamond section, hollowed for the thumb on one side at the forte, silver-gilt hilt comprising a pair of slightly forward-canted compressed globular quillons chiselled with scrolling foliage and flowers, the quillon-block with a green man mask on each side, globular pommel chiselled on the front and back with a herm issuant with foliage, and on the sides with scrolling leafy tendrils and differing flowers, wire-bound grip with `Turk`s heads`, in its original scabbard covered with red fabric and with gilt locket and chape each decorated with openwork enclosed by filigree frames 44.5cm; 17 1/2in
A FINE AND RARE RUSSIAN COMBINED FLINTLOCK PISTOL AND HUNTING SWORD, CIRCA 1760-70, PROBABLY TULA with straight slender blade double-edged at the point, etched and gilt with scrolls, foliage a stag and a wild boar on the respective faces at the forte fitted with pistol barrel and lock mechanism on the right, the former chiselled and gilt with foliage and a portrait profile, the latter carrying an oval shell-guard chiselled and gilt with scrolling foliage surrounding a hunter holding a bear at bay, iron grip decorated en suite with the shell with further scenes from the chase and portrait profiles, retaining some blue black finish throughout (oxidised), in its original leather-covered wooden scabbard with small steel chape en suite with the hilt (polished bright) 56.5cm; 22 1/4in blade Literature Dr. J. Fastenau, Die Waffensammlung, 1910, no. 294. Exhibited Arms, Armour & Militaria lent by H.R.H. The Duke of Brunswick at the Tower of London, April 10th-October 31st 1952, cat. No.76
A TURKISH YATAGHAN PRESENTED TO LE COMTE ALEXANDER ESTERHAZY MAJOR, MID-19TH CENTURY with slightly curved single-edged blade cut with a long slender fuller along the back-edge, decorated with gold koftgari on each side including a rectangular panel filled with calligraphy, gilt beadwork hilt extending over the lower portion of the blade and continuing to around the grips (lifting), a pair of horn grip-scales rising to an eared pommel, the latter set with a single piece of coral in its original green velvet covered wooden scabbard with silver chape, and silver locket inscribed with the owner`s name 55.2cm; 21 3/4in blade Count Alexander Esterhazy was a major in the Austrian Hussar Regiment No 2, commanded by Ernst August, King of Hanover from 1847-52.
A BAVARIAN OFFICER`S SWORD, 19TH CENTURY with curved fullered blade of faux damascus steel, double-edged towards the point, polished steel guard with shallow bowl, cap pommel stamped with the crowned Royal arms, wire-bound fishskin-covered grip, and leather thumb loop, in its polished steel scabbard 82.5cm; 32 1/2in blade
A BAVARIAN CAVALRY SWORD, 19TH CENTURY with curved fullered regulation blade double-edged towards the point, signed by the bladesmith`s `Clemen & Jung, Solingen` at the forte and stamped with a series of marks including `88` and the letters `T` and `L` each crowned on the back-edge, regulation steel triple-bar hilt with part chequered back-strap, in its steel scabbard stamped `1CHR 2.144` at the top 90cm; 35 1/2in blade
A GERMAN HUNTING SWORD, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY with straight single-edged blade double-edged towards the point, stamped with a King`s head profile mark at the forte, steel hilt including vestigial scalloped shell-guard, a pair of recurved quillons and cap pommel, and natural staghorn grip, in its steel mounted scabbard, complete with its accompanying knife en suite 43.5cm; 17 1/4in blade
A GERMAN HUNTING SWORD, EARLY 20TH CENTURY, AND THREE SMALL GERMAN DAGGERS with straight single-edged blade cut with a broad fuller on one side, case-hardened steel hilt comprising a pair of short quillons and cap pommel, and natural staghorn grip, in its leather scabbard with a loop for suspension and complete with its accompanying knife; the second with broad single-edged blade stamped with an asterisk mark, German silver hilt stamped with the maker`s mark, the pommel formed as the Bavarian lion, and polished horn grips inset with pierced German silver plaques, in its scabbard; the third stamped `Wemmer` on the blade, steel cross-piece, and chequered horn grip, in its brass-mounted scabbard; and the fourth with slightly curved folding blade stamped with an asterisk mark, fluted German silver ferrule, and horn grip 30.5cm; 12in blade (4)
A BAVARIAN HUNTING SWORD, SIGNED STROBLBERGER IN MÜNCHEN, MID-19TH CENTURY with fullered blade etched and gilt with foliage, a trophy-of-arms and a garland on a blued ground over the lower half on each side, gilt-brass hilt cast and chased with foliage and trophies-of-hunting in low relief, including small shell-guard, a pair of recurved quillons, and polished horn grips retained by three pairs of rivets with foliate heads, in its original scabbard gilt-brass mounts en suite with the hilt, including signed locket (suspension ring missing), and complete with its accompanying knife 61cm; 24in blade
A BAVARIAN HUNTING SWORD, SIGNED STROBLBERGER IN MÜNCHEN, MID-19TH CENTURY with fullered blade etched and gilt with foliage, a trophy-of-arms and a garland on a blued ground over the lower half on each side, gilt-brass hilt cast and chased with foliage and trophies-of-hunting in low relief, including small shell-guard, a pair of vertically recurved quillons with hound`s head terminals, hound`s head pommel, and natural stag horn grip studded with three acorn bosses at the front, in its original scabbard with brass mounts en suite with the hilt, including signed locket (accompanying knife missing) 62cm 24 1/2in blade
A 15MM AUSTRIAN WÄNZEL SYSTEM MODEL 1854/67 JÄGERSTUTZEN, NO. 12853, DATED 1855 with 25in sighted rifled barrel, the tang stamped `L. Bentz`, dated lock, regulation full stock, steel mounts, complete with its clearing rod and bayonet, the latter numbered `38529` and in its steel mounted leather scabbard 110cm; 43 1/4in overall
A 15MM AUSTRIAN WÄNZEL SYSTEM MODEL 1854/67 JÄGERSTUTZEN, NO. 8407, DATED 1855 with 25in sighted rifled barrel, the tang stamped `LW`, dated lock stamped with crowned double eagle mark, regulation full stock, steel mounts, complete with its clearing rod and bayonet, the latter numbered `2832` and in its scabbard 110cm; 43 1/4in overall
A 15MM AUSTRIAN WÄNZEL SYSTEM MODEL 1854/67 JÄGERSTUTZEN, NO. 2530, DATED 1855 with 25in sighted rifled barrel, the tang stamped `Louise Bentz`, dated lock stamped with crowned double eagle mark, regulation full stock, steel mounts (clearing rod missing), complete with its bayonet, in its steel mounted leather scabbard 110cm; 43 1/4in overall
Two British WWI period bayonets, by Wilkinson, 1907, 2nd pattern, with 17in. fullered blades, wooden grips, steel scabbards and canvas frogs; together with a 19th Century French bayonet, with 20 1/2in. blade, engraved to back `Mrce d`Armes de Chat-Aout 1876`, part wooden grip and steel scabbard. (3)
A French bayonet for a Gras rifle, model 1874 the 20 1/2in. blade engraved to the back `Mre d`Ormes de St Etieme Mai 1879`, the hilt with steel cross-guard quillon and half-wood half-brass grip, complete with steel scabbard; together with another, the blade engraved `Mre d`Ormes de St Etieme Juin 1883`. (2)
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