Stirrup hilted fighting sword. The hilt of the sword consists of a gilt stirrup guard with langets upon which are engraved a crown over an anchor. The sword has a lion's head pommel. The white polished ivory grip is bound with gilt wires. On one side of the grip is an esctucheon bearing a crest with the motto PER VIAS RECTAS. The escutcheon on the other side of the grip is missing. The blade is heavy and broad. It is blued and etched with gilt decoration including Hercules holding up a female figure leaning against an anchor, the royal coat of arms and Neptune standing on shell. The black leather scabbard is fitted with a gilt top locket, mid locket and chape. Two rings for suspending the sword from a belt are attached to the top and mid locket. The top locket is engraved: BRUNN/Sword Cutler to their/Royal Highness's the/PRINCE REGENT/DUKE OF CLARENCE/Charing Cross/London. The scabbard is broken above the chape.
PER VIAS RECTAS (By right ways) is the motto of the Blackwood family which therefore indicates that this sword belonged to Vice Admiral Sir Henry Blackwood (1770-1832). it is probable that this sword was presented by William Henry, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV) who made Blackwood Captain of the Fleet in 1814 when he was also created a baronet. He later served as a naval aide -de camp to the Duke. Similar swords (also made by Brunn) were presented by the Duke of Clarence to, among others, Admiral Richard Goodwin Keats and Captain Sir Frederick Maitland. The missing escutcheon on the grip would therefore have borne the arms of the Duke of Clarence.