News

5th November 2012 - Two additional swords added – nearly 80% traced

Since this site was launched in February 2011, we have added twelve swords to our traced total. This brings the number of swords traced to 129 out of the 165 that were made.

Many thanks to all who have made contact and do please continue to keep in touch if you have any further knowledge to share - do remember we strictly protect confidentiality and are not seeking details of their current ownership, only to confirm the existence of missing swords.

The two swords that have been recently added are as follows:

The £50 sword awarded to Lieutenant Charles Menzies of the Royal Marines (HMS Minerva) for his zealous and active services upon the cutting out from under the fort in Finisterre Bay five Spanish luggers in June 1806. This sword is in the family’s possession in Australia.

The £100 sword to Lieutenant James Arnold of the Royal Engineers for his gallant and distinguished conduct in Storming the Forts Leyden and Frederici in the Dutch Colony of Surinam on the 30th April 1804. This sword was purchased by Arnold with a grant received for his service in the battle in which he was wounded. The sword is in the family’s possession in the UK.

Two swords have been sold at auction this year

The £30 sword awarded to Master's Mate Barry Sarsfield of HMS Galatea for the capture of the French corvette Lynx in April 1807. Sold for C$20,000 plus buyers premium at Waddington’s in Toronto on 13th June 2012. The sword was in fair condition with losses to the blue and gilt decoration but with the inscription fully legible. The scabbard poorly restored and taped.

The £50 sword awarded to Captain Henry Meriton of the HEIC ship Exeter for his part in Dance’s Action in February 1804. Sold for £20,000 plus buyers premium at Thomas del Mar on 27th June 2012. The sword was sold with belt and slings in a Lloyds case. No trace of the original blue and gilt or inscription remains on the blade which has been reblued.

Finally we have an unconfirmed report that the £50 sword awarded to Lieut. Michael Head of HMS Euryalus is in a private collection - can anyone please confirm this ?

20th April 2012 - Ten new swords have been traced since launch of this website.

Since this site was launched in February 2011, we have added ten swords to our traced total. This brings the number of swords traced to 127 out of the 164 that we believe were produced. Many thanks to all who have made contact and do please continue to keep in touch if you have any further knowledge to share - do remember we strictly protect confidentiality and are not seeking details of current ownership, only to confirm the existence of missing swords.

The ten swords that have been traced include two from Dance's action and two from the capture of La Tapageuse as follows:

1) The £50 sword awarded to Captain James Farquharson of The Alfred - Dance's action EIC fleet and French squadron China Seas (1804). This sword was sold to an Australian collector at John Nicholson's auction on 6th April 2011 for £45,600 (incl BP), having been found in a Godalming (Surrey) attic.

2) The £50 sword awarded to Lieut. Charles Kerr of HMS Jason for storming the fort at Aquadilla Porto Rico (1807). This sword is in a private collection.

3) The £50 sword awarded to Lieut. Ayscough of HMS Centaur for destruction of the batteries on Martinique (1803). This sword is in a private collection in Canada.

4) The £50 sword awarded to Mr. Sutherland of HMS Pallas for capture of French corvette, La Tapageuse, River of Bordeaux (1806). This sword remains in possession of the family of the recipient.

5) The £30 sword awarded to Mr Edward Parkins of HMS Pallas for capture of French corvette, La Tapageuse, River of Bordeaux (1806). This sword is in a private collection in USA.

6) The £50 sword awarded to Captain Robert Torin of The Coutts - Dance's action EIC fleet and French squadron China Seas (1804). This sword was sold at Bonhams on 30th November 2011 for £43,250 (incl BP).

7) The £50 sword awarded to Major Abraham Augustus Nunn for the defence of Dominica against a landing of French forces (1805). This sword remains in possession of friends of the family.

8) The £50 sword awarded to Lieut. Douglas of HMS Franchise for cutting out the Spanish brig Raposa in the bay of Campeachy (1806). This sword remains in family ownership.

9) The £100 sword awarded to Catain Wilson Rathborne of HMS Santa Margarita for the action off Ferrol in November 1805. This swords remains in family ownership.

10) The £30 sword awarded to Master's Mate Barry Sarsfield of HMS Galatea for the capture of the French corvette Lynx in April 1807. (Private collection USA)

In addition, the £100 sword awarded to Captain Arthur Farquhar of HM Bomb Ship Acheron for an action with two French frigates in the Mediterranean (1805) was sold at Bonhams on 30th November 2011 for £79,250 (incl BP).

Finally we have an unconfirmed report that the £50 sword awarded to Lieut. Michael Head of HMS Euryalus is in a private collection - can anyone please confirm this ?