A FINE SILVER-GILT AND ENAMEL HILTED PRESENTATION SABRE with watered blued and gilt blade etched with a martial trophy at each end of the presentation inscription on one side, and with an oval panel enclosing the badge of the 101st Regiment and the coat-of-arms of the recipient on the other, each on a gilt fish-scale ground, also with a martial trophy at each end, the hilt cast and chased with acanthus foliage and neo-Classical ornament in relief, the knuckle-guard and rear quillon with oak foliage and acorns, each langet with applied shield-shaped enamelled plaque bearing respectively the arms of the recipient, and the badge of the 101st Regiment (the former with minor chip), lion's mask pommel and simulated wire-bound grip, in original scabbard covered in black shagreen with silver-gilt mounts cast and chased in relief with trophies of arms, shells, flowers and foliage, the chape with acanthus foliage, two suspension rings, the locket signed within a cartouche 'Salter Sword Cutler Jeweller & Belt Maker To H.R.H. The Duke of Sussex 35, Strand London', London silver hallmarks for 1809, maker's mark IS27¾in. blade

Sold by Order of the Dillon Trustees

A FINE SILVER-GILT AND ENAMEL HILTED PRESENTATION SABRE with watered blued and gilt blade etched with a martial trophy at each end of the presentation inscription on one side, and with an oval panel enclosing the badge of the 101st Regiment and the coat-of-arms of the recipient on the other, each on a gilt fish-scale ground, also with a martial trophy at each end, the hilt cast and chased with acanthus foliage and neo-Classical ornament in relief, the knuckle-guard and rear quillon with oak foliage and acorns, each langet with applied shield-shaped enamelled plaque bearing respectively the arms of the recipient, and the badge of the 101st Regiment (the former with minor chip), lion's mask pommel and simulated wire-bound grip, in original scabbard covered in black shagreen with silver-gilt mounts cast and chased in relief with trophies of arms, shells, flowers and foliage, the chape with acanthus foliage, two suspension rings, the locket signed within a cartouche 'Salter Sword Cutler Jeweller & Belt Maker To H.R.H. The Duke of Sussex 35, Strand London', London silver hallmarks for 1809, maker's mark IS 27¾in. blade

Details

Lot Essay

The inscription on the blade reads: 'From the Officer's of his Majesty's 101st Regiment, to their Colonel the Honble Henry Augustus Dillon, as a Small, though, Grateful Testimony. of high Respect, Attachment and Esteem'

Sold with a contemporary mahogany display case (adapted from a gun case), the lid with brass escutcheon engraved with the recipient's name
John Salter was at 35, Strand from 1801 to 1824, and the firm were goldsmiths, jewellers and sword-cutlers. John Salter was Lord Nelson's sword-maker: in 1802 Nelson left with Mr. Salter the cocked hat he had worn at the Battle of Copenhagen. See May & Annis, Swords for Sea Service, Vol.II, p.302

The 101st Regiment was raised following a letter of sevice dated 21 November, 1805 and granted to Lieutenant-Colonel The Hon. Henry Augustus Dillon. By 21 July, 1806 he had raised 926 men. The Regiments first posting was to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1806. In 1809 the Regiment was posted to Kingston, Jamaica and was disbanded at Haslar in 1817

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