dating: early 19th Century
provenance: England
Beautiful curved, single -and false- edged blade with a large central fuller, the entire surface is engraved and gilded on a blue background, at the center of the right side is the dedication "TO THOMAS MUSGRAVE ESQ.r Commander OF THE PRIVATE SHIP OF WAR KITTY; FROM THE OWNER OF THAT SHIP & THE UNDERWRITERS AT LLOYD'S FOR HIS GALLANT DEFENCE AGAINST LA FIDELIDAD SPANISH PRIVATE SHIP OF WAR OF VERY SUPERIOR FORCE ON THE 10TH OF MARCH & HIS CAPTURE OF THAT VESSEL AFTER AN ACTION OF TWO HOURS AND HALF. AS RECORDED IN THE LONDON GAZETTE OF THE 16TH OF MARCH 1805", on the debole is a feminine allegory, the royal monogram crowned "G.R." under a globe with flags and above woven dolphins, at the forte is another feminine figure, everything on racemes; on the left side starting from the forte to the point are representations of a trophy, an image of the navy, the globe over flags surmounted by a trident, then the royal coat of arms with the motto "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE" above a lion, a horse and a bandeau "DIEU E MON DROIT", further on is the effigy Britannia and a shield with anchor, placed on trophies and surmounted by crown and angles; fire-gilded bronze hilt, bas-relieved lion's head on anchor on the langets, straight guard, angled circular section guard with grooved surface and laurel foliage winding, pommel in the shape of a lion's head with long cap; ivory grip with metallic wire bending. Leather scabbard with gilded bronze mounts, engraved with anchor and trophies, three high-relieved laurel bands, two suspension rings; on the scabbard mouth the manufacturer's signature "R. TEED SWORD CUTTLER LANCASTER COURT STAND". Weapon of historical value and beautiful craft, very similar to the 30 guineas model, created by R. Teed, to who the Lloyd Patriotic Fund commissioned the construction of the honour sabres 1779-1821.

condition report: very good