Solid half-basket hilted sword. Owned by Sir David Wilson-Barker, Captain RNR (1858-?). The hilt consists of a gilt, solid half-basket with raised bars and crown and anchor badge with the letter 'R' on each side and the letter 'N' superimposed on the anchor, folding flap with small hole, white fish-skin grip bound by three gilt wires and a lion's head pommel and back-piece with the mane extending all the way down to the ferrule. The blade has a very faint curve, (Wilkinson blade) is flat-backed with a 229mm long false edge and has a shallow fuller running from within 20mm of the guard to a point 241mm from the uniform spear point. The obverse is engraved with the Star of David surrounding a brass proof mark, foliage, lattice work and foliage interlaced, a foul anchor, the letters 'RNR', a Georgian pattern crown, and an arc with rays, lattice work and foliage interlaced. On the reverse on a scroll is engraved SILVER & Co. LONDON; and there is also foliage, lattice work and foliage interlaced, the very faint motto, Dieu et Mon Droit with foliage above and the lion and unicorn supporting a small shield topped by a helmet (?), wreaths and the Georgian crown, an arc with rays, and lattice work and foliage interlaced. The scabbard is black leather with two gilt lockets fitted with rings and a gilt chape fitted with an ornamental shoe, the top locket bearing a gilt pin on its reverse side to engage the hole in the folding flap on the guard. The gilt parts are decorated with groups of lines which emphasise the shape of the top and bottom edges of the lockets. This sword is dated '1898' because that was the last year in which Silver and Company operated under that name. The crown on the guard, however, is appropriate to the year 1901 or later and it seems very likely that it was put on the guard after that part had been finished. The anchor part of the badge is cast as part of the guard whereas the crown is a separate piece. The same is true of the letters 'RNR'. It appears that a change of reigns has further complicated the position. The blade is apparently an original R.N.R. one but it is surprising that no Royal cypher is engraved on it. (It is assumed that the Georgian pattern crown is the result of artistic preference rather than anything else). This sword came to the N.M.M together with Captain Wilson-Barker's uniforms and belonged to him though it is not known when he bought it.