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Naval presentation sword and scabbard

, 1814

National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth

This sword was presented in 1814 by passengers on board the packet ship the 'Duke of Marlborough' to Mr William Macdonnell, the ship's Master. Its inscription records that it was awarded for gallant conduct under his Captain, John Bull, in action against the British Royal Navy frigate the 'Primrose' in a wartime friendly fire incident in the Bay of Biscay in March 1814. As with other swords of the Napoleonic War period it is decorated with appropriately nationalistic and heroic symbolism such as a British lion-head pommel and engravings of Neptune and the Labours of Hercules.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Naval presentation sword and scabbard, 1814

Date supported

2006

Medium and material

Steel & ormolu

Dimensions

Blade: 75.3 cm

Grant

4134

Total cost

9828

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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