Code: 12091
The sword of Colonel the Hon. Henry Richard Howel Lloyd-Mostyn (1857-1938)
Henry Richard Howel Lloyd-Mostyn was born on the 6th April 1857, at Marleybone, the son of Hon. Thomas Edward Lloyd-Mostyn and Lady Henrietta Augusta Nevill. He was educated at Eton College, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
He was commissioned, in the service of the 23rd Foot in September 1877 and this sword, or at least the blade, dates from that time.
He married the Hon. Pamela Georgina Douglas-Pennant, daughter of Colonel George Sholto Gordon Douglas-Pennant, 2nd Baron Penrhyn of Llandegai and Pamela Blanche Rushout, on 20 September 1883.
On 13 October 1884 he was granted the rank of a baron's younger son. He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Caernarvonshire, and the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.) of Caernarvonshire.
He was Lieutenant Colonel and Honorary Colonel of the 4th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers between 1903 and 1908, and was Lieutenant Colonel and Honorary Colonel of the 3rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment between 1909 and 1912.
In 1915 he helped to raise and commanded the 17th Royal Welch Fusiliers, who trained and paraded at his ancestral home of Bodysgallen Hall. The unit suffered heavy casulaties at Mametz Wood during the Battle of the Somme in July 1916.
The sword is described as a "Regulation Infantry Sword, proved on the 6th of September 1877". It carries Wilkinson's makers details and proof slug to the ricassos. It has an etched panel, containing Lloyd Mostyns overlaid initials, as well as the crowned VR cypher, and foliate engraving. The sword has been service sharpened, and I suspect the field service scabbard is an upgrade dating from the early 1890's. It is a good fit, but tops a few mm short, and likely has a small blockage.
It is hilted with a Victorian 1827 pattern Light Infantry officers hilt, which given the proof ledger, and the fully chequered backstrap, may well have been an in service replacement from one of his many military appointments, possibly at the same time as the scabbard. Further research required, but a very interesting, and untouched sword which, given its RWF connections is worthy of further research.
Strictly over 18's only. Photo ID will be required before this item can be dispatched. Please send this at the time of ordering, to prevent unnecessary delay in your order being dispatched.
