Small-Sword. Attributed to Rear-Admiral Richard Kempenfelt (1718-82). The hilt is silver with an oval pommel and shell pierced with a design of foliage. The guard and pas d'ane are ornamented in relief. The grip is bound with a silver ribbon and four pairs of twisted wires. Marked with a Hall mark for 1763/4 and a silversmith's mark 'WK' (Wm Kersill). The blade is triangular, hollow ground and engraved on the obverse with strap-work and a military trophy of drums and spears, and on the reverse with strap-work, decoration, and a winged figure carrying a flag. The scabbard is vellum which has been painted with cream paint and has two silver lockets (with rings) and chape, the first two engraved with crossed lines and dots and the latter with four lines. The scabbard is part numbered WPN1285.1 and can be accessed via the WHOLE/PART toggle. This was made for a colichemarde blade so does not belong.

Richard Kempenfelt was born in 1718; became a Lieutenant 14 January 1741; Commander 5 May 1756; Captain 17 June 1757; Rear-Admiral, 26 September 1780; and was lost in the Royal George 29 August 1782. He returned to England from the East Indies in 1764, having taken part in the expedition in Manile two years earlier. Prize money would make it likely that he would buy an expensive sword in that year.