Cross-hilted sword, the hilt of the sword consists of a cross hilt with inversed ends. The sword has a fluted white ivory grip with a four-sided gilt pommel. The straight, double-edged steel blade has a central fuller running to the spear point. The black leather scabbard has two gilt lockets and chape, and a stud on the obverse of the top locket for frog suspension. The chape is decorated with six bands, each made up of four horizontal threads.

An oil painting (BHC2740) in the National Maritime Museum's collection entitled 'Lord Howe On The Deck Of The 'Queen Charlotte', 1 June 1794' depicts a midshipman with a similar weapon. Except that sword has a small band round the grip, which is engraved with a foul anchor, an addition which came in after 1790. A crown was added above the anchor shortly after this date.