Lot 233
233
A FINE SILVER-MOUNTED PRESENTATION RIFLE BRIGADE VOLUNTEER OFFICER'S SWORD OF 1845 PATTERN
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A FINE SILVER-MOUNTED PRESENTATION RIFLE BRIGADE VOLUNTEER OFFICER'S SWORD OF 1845 PATTERN

BY HENRY WILKINSON, PALL MALL, LONDON, LONDON SILVER HALLMARKS FOR 1863

Details
A FINE SILVER-MOUNTED PRESENTATION RIFLE BRIGADE VOLUNTEER OFFICER'S SWORD OF 1845 PATTERN
BY HENRY WILKINSON, PALL MALL, LONDON, LONDON SILVER HALLMARKS FOR 1863
With single-edged flat-sided blade with false back-edge towards the tip and numbered 12722 for 1863, the blade finely etched with scrollwork, 'VR' cypher, '1ST NORTHAMPTON ALTHORP RIFLE VOLUNTEERS' above a strung bugle, the Spencer coat of arms, the monogram 'S' beneath an Earl's coronet, the presentation inscription 'PRESENTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE 1ST NORTHAMPTON ALTHORP VOLUNTEERS TO MAJOR EARL SPENCER IN GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF HIS SERVICE TO THE COMPANY. 1864', and along the back-edge the Spencer family motto 'DIEU DEFEND LE DROIT', silver 'Gothic' hilt with pierced crowned strung bugle, the inside of the guard finely engraved with scrollwork, the grip-strap engraved with further scrollwork and an oval escutcheon involving the monogram 'S' beneath an Earl's coronet, wire-bound shagreen-covered grip, leather sword-knot, in original silver scabbard with two suspension rings and original chamois leather outer, silver maker's mark 'RB'
32¼ in. (82 cm.) blade
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. Please note Payments and Collections will be unavailable on Monday 12th July 2010 due to a major update to the Client Accounting IT system. For further details please call +44 (0) 20 7839 9060 or e-mail info@christies.com
Sale room notice
Please note that the grip of this sword includes shagreen and as such will require a CITES licence in order to be exported from the EU. Please contact Christie's Art Transport for further details.

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Lot Essay

This sword was presented to John Poyntz, 5th Earl Spencer (1835-1910). It is known that he had an active interest in the development of service rifles and formed part of a War Office committee looking into the adoption of a breech-loading service rifle in 1867.

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