Presentation Sword

Presentation sword, the sword belonged to Lieutenant Charles Barber (died 1821-22). The hilt consists of a stirrup guard made of alternating brass 'rope' and plain brass strands. There is an acanthus bud on the quillon, whilst the langets are embossed with a foliage design. The sword has a lion's-head pommel, and a knurled ivory grip.

The curved blade is made from blued steel and gilt. The obverse of the blade is engraved with the name 'BANK'S', and a depiction of Britannia with a trident and shield standing on the poop of a ship, with a dolphin on each side of her, and wearing a wreath over her head. There is depiction of a shield with a crown over the Royal cypher 'GR', hanging from the yard of the ship and crossed with a trident, fame's trumpet inverted on the trunk, foliage and an escallop, two dolphins, supporting upon their tails a lion and unicorn counter-passant, the Royal arms with a crown above, the whole surrounded by a wreath, and foliage. On the reverse of the blade are three escallops engraved with the word 'WARRANTED', and a depiction of Neptune with a lion, an eagle grasping a serpent, with thunderbolts behind and the words 'FROM THE SHIP'S COMPANY OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP Norge TO THEIR FIRST LIEUTENANT CHARLES BARBER. A TESTIMONY OF THEIR RESPECTFUL REGARD. JANUARY 1813.', along with a depiction of a trophy of shield, a buoy, a compass anchor, a sail, a gun, an axe and a flag, on which stands a sailor with cutlass in his right hand and a trumpet in his left, foliage including the rose, thistle and shamrock. The sword has a brass scabbard with two rings. The scabbard is engraved with lines and on the obverse with panel foliage. The reverse of the scabbard is engraved with the words 'G, Banks 49 Fore Street Dock Plymouth'.

Charles Barber was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on the 2nd April 1805 and on 9th November 1808 was appointed to the Norge, one of the Danish prizes taken at Copenhagen in 1807. He remained in her until 1815 and does not appear to have been employed again. He died in 1821.

Object Details

ID: WPN1220
Collection: Weapons
Type: Presentation Sword
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Banks, G.
Places: Copenhagen
Vessels: Norge 1807 (HMS)
Date made: 1813
People: Barber, Charles; Britannia Neptune Banks, G.
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Blade: 714 x 35 mm
Parts: Presentation Sword