Solid half-basket hilted sword, which belonged to Admiral Watkin Owen Pell (1788-1870). The hilt of the sword consists of a gilt solid half-basket guard, with a badge. The guard has a folding flap. The sword has a lion's-head pommel and back-piece, the mane extending one-third of the length of the back-piece. The white fish-skin grip is bound with three gilt wires. The pipe-back steel blade is slightly curved with a double-edged spear point. The blade is decorated with etchings, which include the depiction of a crown and a foul anchor. The black leather scabbard has two gilt lockets and a chape. The top locket has a ring on either side, and there is one ring attached to the mid locket.

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 WPN1040, WPN1041 and WPN1074.