AN OFFICER'S DRESS SWORD, A GERMAN HANGER, AND AN 1879 PATTERN BRITISH MIDSHIPMAN'S DIRK

THE FIRST CIRCA 1794, THE SECOND AND THIRD LATE 19TH CENTURY

Details

AN OFFICER'S DRESS SWORD, A GERMAN HANGER, AND AN 1879 PATTERN BRITISH MIDSHIPMAN'S DIRK
The first circa 1794, the second and third late 19th Century
The first with straight blade (minor surface pitting) double-edged for half its length, each side with a broad fuller inscribed on one side 'Regiment de Mortemart' with a cross, and on the other side 'Armée Britanique' with the Bourbon arms, brass hilt with boatshell guard (repaired), and original grip bound with plaited copper wire; the second with single-edged blade etched on each side with scenes of the chase, and brass hilt with eagle-head pommel, the grip inscribed with owner's name and initials, in brass-mounted scabbard; the third with brass hilt, shagreen-covered grip, and original scabbard
The first with 28¼in. (71.6cm.) blade (3)

Lot Essay

The Regiment de Mortemart was one of several raised from among French royalist refugees after the Revolution and financed by the British government. Founded in 1794 by Victorien-Bonaventure-Victor de Rochechouart, marquis de Mortemart (1753-1823), it numbered 1000 men when at full strength. It served in the British campaigns of 1794-5 in Flanders, commanded by George III's son, Frederick, Duke of York, and later in Holland and Portugal. It was disbanded in Portsmouth in 1802, after the signing of the Peace of Amiens

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