Light cavalry sword. Owned by Adam Grieve, Master's Mate (1770-1845). The hilt consists of a gilt stirrup guard; langets edged with a design of arrow-heads and have a foul anchor engraved in the middle; a smooth gilt pommel and back-piece, both engraved with a leaf design; a 'rope' let into the outer edge of the guard and a knurled white ivory grip. The very curved falchion blade has a broad groove running to within 150mm of the point. The blade has been blued but does not appear to have been engraved. The scabbard is tooled black leather, with two gilt lockets (with rings) and chape, each incised with four groups of three lines each arranged in pairs. The top locket has a frog button.

Adam Grieve was born 25 April 1770, at Leith, and presumably spent his early years in the Merchant Service as when he at last entered the Royal Navy, 1 February 1797, it was as a Master's Mate. It is probable that the sword dates from the time of his entry. After serving in the Defence at Tralfagar he was finally promoted to Lieutenant 30 June 1807. After 1814 he was unable to serve because of ill-health. Possibly this had some connection with an accident early in his career by which he lost several teeth and pieces of his jaw. He died at Weymouth about September 1845. This sword was presented to the Royal United Services Institute by Miss N. Robertson in 1937. Grieve's son, Commander Adam J.G. Grieve, died in Upper Brixham about 1887-89.