This beautiful sword is very similar to the British 1796 pattern heavy cavalry officer’s dress sword. It is of the same period and does have the boatshell guard, but differs significantly on closer inspection.
The 812mm hollow ground blade is double edged and terminates in a spear point. Being hollow ground, the blade is unfullered and has a raised medial ridge. The medial ridge is flattened after the forte until 170mm from the point.
The blade retains the majority of it blue and gilt finish and is engraved with stands of arms below the British royal coat of arms and mottos: “Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense” and “Dieu et Mon Droit.” Above this are floral motifs and stands of arms. The flattened medial ridge is engraved in Spanish, “Por Dios. Por La Ley.”
The obverse of the blade is engraved with stands of arms below King George III cypher with floral motifs and trophies of arms above. The medial ridge is engraved with a continuation of the Spanish motto “Y Por El Rey.” The full motto translates as, “For God. For the law and for the king.”
The blade is in very good condition, retaining most of its blue and gilt and original polish with a pale speckling of tarnish to the polished section. The blade retains its original washer and is firm in the hilt.
The gilt boatshell guard is ornamented with clam shell motifs. The ornate cross guard and quillon is complete with pas d’ane rings as found on small swords (and which are not present on the 1796 HC dress sword) The ornate bolster (referred to as the ricasso on a small sword) is longer than that on the HC dress sword and has a rectangular, rayed and scallop-edged ricasso washer between it and the inside of the boatshell guard. The D-guard extends to a large ornate globe pommel with acorn finial through which the tang is peened. The ornate grip has a wooden core clad with copper and raised twisted wire decorative bands. The beautiful hilt remains tight and is in excellent condition.
The sword is complete with a scabbard that is a later, period replacement that was probably made for it. The top locket of the scabbard bears the maker’s details, “Salter. Sword cutler to H. R. H. the Duke of Sussex. Corner of the Adelphi, 73 Strand, London.” John Salter moved to 73 Strand in 1823 after his former premises burned down. King George III died in 1820.
The scabbard is in generally good condition. The chape is a modern replacement and the stitched seam has parted. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a rare and excellent example of a late 18th century boatshell guard dress sword with an interesting Spanish motto. It is possible that it was used by or gifted to a Spanish officer fighting in the Peninsular alongside Wellington’s army.
