Pierced half-basket hilted sword. The hilt consists of a pierced brass half-basket guard decorated overall with a design of scrolls engraved to resemble foliage. At the lower outer point is a fretted foul anchor with crown above superimposed and riveted to which is a cast foul anchor and crown which almost exactly matches the fretted design beneath. There is an abbreviated 'quillon' with cylindrical finial, a slot near the pommel for a sword knot (missing), a lion's-head pommel and back-piece, and a white fish-skin grip. The blade is a straight 'claymore' type (double-edged, of flattened oval section and a near spatulate spear point). There is a black leather scabbard with two gilt brass lockets each with a ring and a gilt chape. The blade is engraved with scrolls, foliage and a foul anchor surmounted by a crown.

This sword fits no recognizable pattern. If the guard were of steel or gun metal then it would resemble that ordered for either heavy cavalry or the Royal Engineers in 1856. The crown and anchor badge, however, are original to this guard and it must be assumed that the sword was made up to definite private specifications given by a naval officer. Perhaps the possibility of land service led to the preference for a land pattern sword embellished to show the owner's own service.