Scottish Naval Sword of 9th Lord Napier participant
at Trafalgar, sold |
In good condition for its type and age, an exceptionally rare
Royal Naval officer's version of the 1798 pattern Scottish basket
hilted broadsword. With the coat of arms of the 9th Lord Napier
to the top fitting of the scabbard, this is the sword of the Royal
Naval officer William Napier, who was serving on HMS Defence of
the British fleet that defeated the French and Spanish fleet at
the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. This sword was 99.99% worn by him
at that most famous battle.
 

The coat of arms on the scabbard is unique to the 9th
Lord Napier. A few Scottish Royal Naval officers carried basket
hilted broadswords en board their ships prior to the end of 1805,
when the RN sword pattern was standardized and regulated. HMS
Defence was officered primarily by Scotsmen. As Nobility, Lord
Napier would have been allowed to wear such a sword at that time.
There is a very slight chance the sword was made for him after Trafalgar,
but this seems highly unlikely to say the least, given that the
new regulations governing the pattern of sword able to be worn by
RN officers were known to be coming in.

Could we prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that William Napier wore
this sword at the Battle of Trafalgar, this sword would be worth
double, or triple what we are asking; so further research may well
be highly lucrative by the lucky eventual owner. Even if this sword
transpired to be post-Trafalgar, which we do not believe, because
of the condition, because of the rarity of the naval version of
this sword, because of the clear provenance that it was owned by
the 9th Lord Rapier, the sword would still be worth a lot of money,
if not more than we are asking.

The 31 inch (slightly shorter than the 32 / 32 1/2 inch blades
used on 1796P Scottish infantry officer's swords) is in good condition;
with panel thistle etchings either side, a very small wobble in
the point, some scuffing where someone more recently has attempted
to clean the point end of the blade. The blade is still relatively
sharp, having been period sharpened by the maker. The blade has
a tiny amount of movement in the hilt. The brass hilt is in good
shape in comparison with other 1796P's (these brass hilts were and
are so prone to damage); there is a little bending here and there,
and one small break line that we can see. The fishskin grip and
twisted grip wire bindings are in very good order. The scarlet liner
is very well aged, with holes. The scabbard is good, but the leather
is broken in two near the chape end; perhaps some fabric glue would
effect a sensible repair. The stitching is coming apart in places
and the leather is generally tired / aged. The sword sheathed and
draws quite well, a little tight in places.
So, 99.99% sure this was at the Battle of Trafalgar, a rare Royal
Naval version of the 1798 pattern basked hilted broadsword in well
above average condition and with firm provenance to the original
owner being the 9th Lord Napier. Yours for £too late! (selling
price disclosed for a small fee). Please quote item reference number
L72 (1191). Further / full sized images available upon request.





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