Stirrup hilted sword, which was presented to Admiral Watkin Owen Pell (1788-1870). The hilt of the sword consists of a gilt stirrup guard, with langets, which are decorated with embossed foul anchors. The guard is engraved with a floral device. The top and edges of the quillon are also engraved. The sword has a lion's-head pommel and back-piece, the mane extending the length of the back-piece. The grip is made of polished white ivory bound with three gilt wires.

The steel cut-and-thrust blade is damascened in blue and gold. The blade is engraved with the words 'Presented by the Honble Henry Duncan, Late Captn of HM Ship Mercury to Watkin Owen Pell as a Mark of Approbation for his very Gallant exertions and Meritorious Conduct whilst 1st Lieutenant of that ship Particularly on the Night of the 1st of April 1809, when he commanded her Boats at the attack of 2 Gun Vessels in the harbour of Rovigno in the Adriatic one of which he captured and was severely Wounded in six Places while in the Act of Boarding. Also in the Night of the 7th Sept when he again commanded the Boats of the Mercury at the Attack and Capture of the French schooner of war La Pugliese, from the Harbour of Burletta in the Adriatic, where besides her own Means of Defence she was Moored with 8 cables within a Mole Defended by a Strong Castle and two Armed Feluccas. Distinguished Services & having before lost a Leg in Action with the Enemy He was Deservedly Promoted by the Lords of the Admiralty to the Rank of Commander'. The black leather scabbard has two gilt lockets, a chape and two snake rings, one on each side of the top locket and one on the mid locket. The mounts are richly decorated with embossed emblems depicting a suit of armour, a battle-axe, spears and an anchor.

Admiral Watkin Owen Pell (1788-1870) entered the Navy in 1799; he lost his leg in the action between the 'Loire' and French frigate 'Pallas' in 1800. He did not serve afloat again until 1802. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1806 and was appointed to the 'Mercury' and took part in a number of boat actions in the West Indies and Mediterranean. He was promoted to the rank of Commander in 1810 and to Captain in 1813. Pell served until the end of Napoleonic Wars in 1815 and then spent many years on half pay. In 1841 he was appointed Superintendent of Pembroke Dockyard and this was his last appointment. He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral in 1848, to Vice-Admiral (ret'd) in 1855 and to Admiral in 1861. Admiral Watkin Owen Pell was made a Knight in 1837 and a Knight Commander of the Royal Guelphic Order of Hanover (KCH) in the same year. See also WPN1041, WPN1051 and WPN1074.