Victorian 1897P Royal Artillery Sword of Colonel J.A.F. Nutt, Sold

With his earlier blade (serial number 14093 for 1865), in overall good condition, the 1897P hilted Royal Artillery sword of Colonel J.A.F. Nutt. Bearing the family coat of arms for the Nutt family and Mackenzie clan, plus the Order of the Garter.

Information on Nutt, coats of arms, etc. below.

James Anson Francis Nutt was the youngest of his siblings, his father was the Reverend Charles Nutt, his mother was Jane Mackenzie - she was the daughter of a Jamaican plantation owner - Peter Mackenzie. This explains the two coat of arms, one for the Nutts, the other for the Mackenzies.

Nutt coat of arms: On a chapeau Gules turned up Ermine. a pheon Or., between two wings Agrent (on a red chapeau lined with ermine golden arrow/bolt head between two silver/white wings)

Scots crest for Mackenzie: The motto reads Lunceo non uro - I shine but do not burn

James Anson Francis Nutt was commissioned in the Royal Artillery on 12 Jan 1866 as a Lieut. He was promoted to Captain 01 April 1878 and served in the Afghan campaign in 1880 and awarded the medal for such. He was promoted to Major on 01 March 1884, and promoted to Lt. Col. on 19 Aug 1893. In 1896 he was the commanding officer of the Royal Artillery at St Thomas' Mount. He was promoted to Colonel on the 19 Aug 1897 and moved to the reserve list on half pay on 19 Aug 1898. In 1899 he was called up and served until 17 April 1900 then returned to the reserves. He continued to be listed in the reserves until 1906, but by 1910 he had been removed. See: http://www.thepeerage.com/p8296.htm

The long 34 1/4 inch blade originally was mounted to a Royal Artillery pattern sword but obviously remounted by him into the 1897P hilt when he was promoted to Colonel (he did not have any sons to follow him into the army, just three daughters, Jane, Maria and Elizabeth).

The blade etching is still very clear but the blade has patches of patina. Blade firm in hilt. The plated hilt has lost much plating and the steel now has patina. The fishskin grip is good but with wear and has faded. The twisted grip wire bindings still good. The scabbard is in good order but aged and the metal fittings have some patina patches. The sword sheathes and draws well. The blade is period sharpened and has some small nicks, believed to be period, to the cutting edge, possibly if not probably from use in the Afghan Campaign.

The provenance and history alone are worth the price £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference P18 (0217). Further / full sized images available upon request.