Solid half-basket hilted sword, which belonged to Admiral of the Fleet Lord John Arbuthnot Fisher (1841-1920). The hilt of the sword consists of a gilt, 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 lock with the stud on the scabbard. The sword has a lion's-head pommel and back-piece, the mane extending the length of the back-piece. The white fish-skin grip is bound with three gilt wires. The slightly curved Wilkinson steel blade is grooved to within 230mm of the double-edged spear point. The obverse of the blade is engraved on the shoulder with a proof mark, the Royal arms with supporters, a crown and orb above the arms and the Latin motto 'Dieu et mon droit' below the arms, and further decoration above and below. The reverse of the blade is engraved with a crown and foul anchor motif, with further decoration above and below. The engraving is much worn by excessive polishing. The black leather scabbard has two gilt lockets and rings and a chape. The mounts are ornamented with lines, scrolls, acorns and oak leaves. It is likely that the sword dates from 1860 and was fitted with a new scabbard in 1890.

Admiral of the Fleet Lord John Arbuthnot Fisher (1841-1920) was born on the 25th January 1841 and entered the Royal Navy on the 13th July 1854. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on the 4th November 1860 and to Commander on the 2nd August 1869. He became a Captain on the 30th October 1874 and a Rear-Admiral on the 2nd August 1890. He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the 8th May 1896 and to Admiral on the 2nd November 1901. He became Admiral of the Fleet on the 4th December 1905. He was a G.C.B., an O.M., a G.C.V.O., and became 1st Baron Fisher of Kilverstone. He died on the 10th July 1920.