A Copy Of An Egyptian Club Sword

A Copy Of An Egyptian Club Sword The Blade Early 19th Century With tapering fullered blade (some areas of old rust patination) bright over half its length to the double-edged point, the forte etched and gilt against a blued ground along one side with crowned 'GR' cypher between foliage and a martial trophy, and along the other with post-1801 royal arms and motto involving a prone lion and between foliage and a differing martial trophy, gilt-brass hilt comprising recurved ovoidal guard with beaded border, fluted knuckle-guard with a ring at the top for a leather and bullion sword-knot, and made in one with a roundel joined to the guard at the base and with applied fouled anchor within a beaded border, and grip formed in the round as a crocodile, in its black leather scabbard with linear engraved gilt-brass mounts each applied with a fouled anchor on the outside, and with two suspension mounts each formed as a sea-monster 82.5 cm. blade Footnotes: On the night of 3 August 1798 two days after the Battle of the Nile, the captains of the fleet met abroad the Orion and inaugurated the 'Egyptian Club'. A document was drawn up, and signed by all present, inviting Nelson to accept the gift of a sword and to have his portrait taken by the Club. This is a copy of the cheaper version of the sword presented to Nelson that the Captains of the Club are believed to have had made for themselves of which one, with enamel decoration, is preserved in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. See Commander W.R. May & P.G. Annis, Swords for Sea Service, , Volume One, 1970, pp. 55-57 Cf. another example sold in these Rooms, Antique Arms and Armour, 4 April 2007, lot 85 This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com