Small-sword which belonged to a surgeon in the Royal Navy Civil Branch - Medical. The hilt of the sword is gilt. The olive-shaped gilt pommel is joined to the pas d'ane by a gilt knuckle bow, and a gilt boat shell. The black fish-skin grip is bound with three gilt wires. Attached to either side of the grip, is a gilt tablet, engraved with a motif of an anchor with a snake twisted around the shank. This is the seal of the Sick and Hurt Board, which is the Royal Navy Civil Branch - Medical. The straight steel blade consists of a hollow triangular section decorated on both sides with the Royal crown. The black leather scabbard is decorated in its centre portion with a tooled diamond pattern. The scabbard has two gilt lockets, rings and chape. The top locket is engraved with the words 'Read Cutler Portsmouth'.

With the introduction of new dress regulations in 1825, the civil branches of the Royal Navy were instructed to wear 'A small-sword with a plain brass handle with the appropriate device'. In 1832 they were issued with the cut-and-thrust sword of the Masters. See WPN1290 for a sword worn by a purser and WPN1286 for a sword worn by a secretary.