Code: 11776
An interesting 1827 Pattern Naval Officer’s Sword incorporating a ‘claymore’ blade.
These hybrid blades, although non-regulation, were fashionable with well heeled Royal Naval Officers from the late 1850's, until the1880’s, although I recently encounted a Wilkinson example from 1903!
The sword of Rear Admiral James Minchin Bruce. Bruce was born on the 24th of January 1833, the son of Admiral Sir Henry William Bruce. He was promoted to Lieutenant in March 1852. On being appointed Commander in April 1855, Bruce was placed in command aboard HMS Styx, and was present with Admiral James Stirling at the signing of the first Anglo-Japanese Treaty at Nagasaki on the 14th of May 1855.
After this he served as Commander aboard HMS Firebrand in 1859, being promoted to Captain in April 1862 and was Captain of HMS Niger from 1865.
He died on the 30th of March 1901.
The blade etched with makers name "Batten&Adams, Fore St, Devenport" Batten was a reknowned family of Naval tailors and outfitters, who partnered with John Adams between 1850 and 1864.
The blade is well etched with a crowned fouled anchor, the royal arms foliate decoration, and inset proof slug surmounted by interlocking triangles.
Blade Length: 28.5 inches.
Regulation solid gilt brass hilt with crowned fouled anchor within a cartouche, a well defined lions head pommel, the mane extending down the backstrap. A good amount of gilt remaining in the sheltered areas. The white rayskin grip is complete, and bound with copper twistwire. The grip ferrule is cracked, but in place and holding firm.
The folding guard is present and functioning correctly, although it operates quite stiffly. The guard is engraved with the owners details "Captn J.M.BRUCE RN" The "R" of "R.N." has been almost obliterated by the drilling of a hole, likely to enable the sword to be hung/fixed to a wall. This is likely to have been done post service. Although interestingly, below the name, is what I took to be a date "1859" impressed into the guard, rather than engraved. I'm not sure why this was done, or the significance, given he wasn't made Captain until 1862, which is likely the time this sword was purchased. However, under the "1859" is the remnants of the engaved letters "R.N." in the same font as the name. So it is possible that the number was impressed or stamped over this to hide it, for whatever reason, or to replace the "RN" obliterated by the later hole.
The blade with some dark staining areas of old pitting and corrosion, now stable. Patina to a dull grey colour, the etching all legible, and would benefit from a gentle polish to brighten its overall appearance.
The blade is solid in the hilt, the scabbard now sadly absent.
Generally a good example of this more uncommon variation, which has an interesting original owner, with great potential for further research, and is priced with its flaws in mind.
Strictly over 18's only. Photo ID will be required before this item can be dispatched.
