In quite good condition, the WW1 era RN Officer’s Sword of Capt. A F B Carpenter, VC
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Alfred Francis Blakeney Carpenter VC (Victoria Cross), born 17th September 1881, died 27th December 1955, Royal Navy officer who was awarded the British highest award for valour, the Victoria Cross, for his command of HMS Vindictive during the Zeebrugge Raid on the night of 22nd/23rd April 1918. It is a late Victorian sword, so the one he had when being commissioned as a second lieutenant at the end of Queen Victoria’s life / reign; it is his only known sword and was hung above the fireplace of his family’s home (hence the string, which we have left). The sword blade bears the retailer’s details of Matthews & Co of Portsmouth.
We bought this and his father, Capt. Charles Carpenter’s sword at auction; the vendors being his family and selling a large quantity of his possessions including his medals. So the provenance is absolute.
Read about (Lieutenant / Captain rising in rank to Vice-Admiral) Alfred Francis Blakeney Carpenter and the Zeebrugge Raid here and here. Did he wear this sword on that operation? Possibly, as naval officers sometimes did during active service operations (but most did not); however, it is probable that this very sword was with him aboard his ship, HMS Vindictive, during that raid.
His photo is a stock image and not included.
The 30 1/4 inch re-plated blade has some patina and light inert pitting but is quite good and firm in the hilt. The hilt retains much gilt and is very good; the folding guard section works well and locates onto the securing pin of the scabbard. The superb rayskin / fishskin grip is a little grubby and worn but very good, the associated grip wire bindings also good. The original sword knot is worn, grubby and tatty in places (you would be too), but sound and a real bonus. The black leather and brass fittings scabbard is aged, the leather especially (surface crumbling), but sound / quite good. The sword sheathes and draws well.
Full provenance, a rare Victoria Cross WW1 RN officer’s sword for a deserved was £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference AI12. Further / full sized images available upon request. Box 1918 100 x 15 x 16 (1.700).
