A solid half-basket hilted dress sword, of the type worn by all commissioned officers below the flag rank. In addition to the foul anchor motif, the letters ‘RNV’ are inscribed on the guard.
The hilt is gilt, with a solid half-basket guard with raised bars and a crown and anchor badge. There is a folding flap on the inside of the guard with a hole to take a pin on the top locket. The sword has a prominent tang button.

The guard is pierced by a slit near the pommel and by two small holes forward of the shoulder. The lion's head pommel and back-piece has a mane extending the length of the back-piece. The white fish-skin grip is bound with seven gilt wires.

The sword comes complete with a sword knot made of blue and gold cord with a barrel-shaped mount covered with blue and gold gimp, with blue bullion at the end.

The flat-backed steel blade is straight with a spear point. The blade is engraved, on a frosted ground, for rather more than half its length. On the obverse the engravings are, from the shoulder: the Shield of David; twin ropes and oak wreaths entwined; a foul anchor; oak wreaths and twin ropes terminating in a cluster of acorns and a royal coat of arms. Engraved on the reverse, at the shoulder: 'J R GAUNT & SON LTD, LATE EDWARD THURKLE, LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM'. Proceeding along the blade are engraved entwined oak wreaths and twin ropes terminating in a cluster of acorns.

The black leather scabbard has two gilt lockets and rings. The sword belt is of black leather, with a crown and foul anchor badge together with the letters 'RNV' on the buckle.