#presentation swords

Presentation small swords, 18th century - early 19th century

Presentation small sword presented to Lt. General Sir Rowland Hill in recognition of his services under Wellington at the Battle of Vittoria on 21st June, 1813. Made by John Ray and James Montague, London.

Presentation small sword by James Morisset of London. Inscribed 'Presented to Lt. Colonel James Hartley in testimony of his brave & gallant conduct by the Honble East India Company 1779'.

Georgian era ‘horse head pommel’ presentation sabres. 

These highly ornate swords with ivory grips, gold or silver wire and gold gilding often featuring martial motives were often given to ‘noteable’ people by their peer or subordinates as a sign of respect. 

Very often, these hilts were matched to beautifully decorated but still functional sword blades. 

‘Horse head pommel’ presentation sabres by William Archer of Dublin. 

Horse head pommels are not commonly encountered and not a lot is know about them. Most are very ornate and are believed to have belonged to Yeomanry or Militia officers rather than regular army. 

That is not to say that they couldn’t have been the property of a regular army officer, since many of the Yeomanry and Militia did go on to serve in the military, only that the sword would not have been carried as part of their uniform. 

Both of these swords were presented to Yeomanry Captains by their fellow officers in late 1800.

William Archer appears to have been a prominent maker of this style of sabre with many carrying his trade name.