Waterloo British Named Infantry Officer's Sword, sold

This is almost 100% certain to be the sword held at Waterloo by Volunteer officer, later General Montague Burrows of the 14th (Buckinghamshire) Regiment of Foot, who appears on page 124 of the Waterloo Roll Call.

This sword almost certainly was at Waterloo. With strong provenance, this sword came from the Burrows estate, a famous army and navy family. Made by Osborne Gunby who adopted that trading style in 1806, it was bought by then Captain Montague Burrows of the 14th (Buckinghamshire) Regiment of Foot. It came with a period label from a Burrows family member stating it to be the sword of General Montague Burrows, as he later became.

Montague Burrows resigned his commission (left the army) some time before the 100 Days War and then joined up again in haste as a volunteer and to the same regiment when Napoleon managed to end his first exile. Page 124 of the Waterloo Roll Call shows Montague Burrows as being with the 14th Regiment of Foot as a volunteer. So it is likely he grabbed the sword he last had, being an earlier 1796P and carried that to play his part in defeating the French. Crucially, the Burrows estate did not include an 1803 pattern (later model) infantry officer's sword. In fact, this was the only sword in their collection for Montague Burrows and has a label stating it belonged to him when he was a general. So, not only can you be pretty sure this is the sword he wore at Waterloo but also that he kept it, either because he was frugal or that he was so fond of the sword, throughout his military career. Unlike many 1796 pattern infantry swords we have held, this one is solidly built and clearly intended for battlefield rather than dress use.

The 32 3/4 inch blade is in good condition, though with patches of light pitting and patina. Some of the etching is still clear. The blade is firm in the hilt. The gilt brass hilt / guard has lost most of its gilt; this is a folding guard version of the sword. The silver metal grip wire appears to be original and is in good order generally. The leather and golt metal scabbard has lost its top fitting and is in aged condition, though the sword still sheathes and draws pretty well.

All indications are this was the sword then Captain Montague Burrows held at Waterloo and as such is a very evocative piece to hold.

A steal. Please quote item reference L06. Further / full sized photos available upon request.