Solid half-basket hilted sword, which belonged to Viscount Walter Runciman of Doxford (1870-1949). The hilt consists of a gilt solid half-basket guard, with a folding flap on the inside to take on the stud on the top locket, and raised bars. It appears that the usual crown and anchor badge of a naval hilt has been machined out and replaced by a smooth medallion, engraved on which are the arms of Trinity House. 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 sword comes complete with a sword knot as worn in the Royal Navy before 1891.

The straight, flat-backed Wilkinson steel blade is grooved to within 229mm of the double-edged spear point. The obverse of the blade is engraved with the bow view of a sailing ship, a tablet with acorns and oak leaves above and below, a foul anchor with rays above, and further acorns and oak leaves. The reverse of the blade is engraved with a proof mark, which is a mis-strike, but has a cursive letter, probably that of Wilkinson, and is engraved with the bow view of a sailing ship, and a foul anchor with rays above, and acorns and oak leaves above and below. The back of the blade bears the words 'MADE IN ENGLAND'. The black leather scabbard has two gilt lockets (with rings) and chape. The mounts are engraved with threads and scrolls, and a honeysuckle ornament on the chape.

Viscount Walter Runciman of Doxford (1870-1949) was born on the 19th November 1870, he was a politician and became an Elder Brother of Trinity House on the 22nd October 1936. He became Viscount Runciman of Doxford on the 10th June 1937 and succeeded his father as 2nd Baron Runciman of Shoreston on the 13th August 1937. He died on the 14th November 1949.