Presentation Sword

Presentation sword, which belonged to Captain Fairfax Moresby (1787-1877). The silver gilt hilt has a lion's head pommel and the stirrup guard is ornamented in relief with oak leaves and acorns. The trailing end of the quillon is en suite and the langets bear foul anchors in relief. The grip is engraved with designs of foliage and bears an oval design in relief on each side. The obverse depicts Neptune riding in a shell whilst the reverse is decorated with a trophy of flags and weapons. The edges of the quillons are decorated with a design of leaves. The assay marks show the lion, the leopard's head crowned, the letter 'R' for 1812-1813, the Sovereign's head and the letters 'T.R.'.

The blade is curved, with a flat back, which has a 229mm false edge. The blade was formerly blued and gilt but much of this has been worn away. The obverse is engraved with four scallop shells, the first is encircled by a key design and the others by branches of laurel and oak leaves intertwined; an oblong containing a trophy of anchor, buoy and weapons; loops and sprays of foliage. The reverse is engraved with a depiction of two dolphins who are entwined and the inscription 'FROM THE BRITISH INSURANCE COMPANY AT MALTA, TO CAPT. FAIRFAX MORESBY OF H.M.S. WIZARD, THIS SWORD IS PRESENTED, IN GRATEFUL SENSE OF THE PROTECTION AFFORDED BY HIM, TO THE TRADE OF THAT ISLAND, DURING THE PERIOD OF HIS STATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA. MDCCCXII.', along with loops and sprays of foliage.

The scabbard is silver gilt with three panels each side containing areas of black shark skin. The scabbard is engraved all over with three raised ovals with designs in relief on each side. There are dolphins in place of the supporting rings. The obverse is decorated with a laurel wreath; raised oval with a Maltese Cross surrounded by a wreath, ship's stern with flags and weapons above, and a scallop shell below; the first panel consists of a scallop shell, a raised oval depicting Hercules and the Hydra in relief, surrounded by a wreath, flags and masts above, a scallop shell below. The second panel is decorated with faces surrounded by a wreath. The third panel is decorated with a scallop shell, on oval Hercules is depicted.

Sir Fairfax Moresby entered the Navy as an AB in 1799; became Master's Mate in 1805; Lieutenant in 1806; Commander in 1811; Captain in 1814; Rear Admiral in 1849; Vice-Admiral in 1856; Admiral in 1862. He was created a CB in 1815, a KCB in 1855 and GCB in 1865. He died in 1877.

Object Details

ID: WPN1255
Collection: Weapons
Type: Presentation Sword
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Rundell, Bridges & Rundell
Places: London; Malta
Vessels: Wizard (1805)
Date made: 1812-1813
People: British Insurance Company at Malta; Moresby, Fairfax Neptune Hercules, Hercules
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Royal United Service Institution Collection
Measurements: Overall: 35 x 855 x 135 mm
Parts: Presentation Sword
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