Presentation sword. Owned by Admiral Arthur Knyvet Wilson (1842-1921). The hilt consists of a gilt solid half-basket guard with raised bars and crown and anchor badge having a short upturned quillon with a drum-shaped finial, pierced by a slot near the pommel and by two circular holes at the top to take a swordknot, part of which remains. (Barrel missing). The guard is also pierced at the back by a rectangular hole to admit a retaining spring attached to the top locket of the scabbard. There is no folding flap. The lion-head back-piece has a mane which extends all the way up to a fluted ferrule at the top of the grip. The lion's head is of the 'chinless' or 'Gieves' type and is surmounted by a small tang button. The white fish-skin grip is bound with three copper wires (more ornate than is usual).

The blade is an unusual pattern, and is nearly straight, single-edged, flat-backed and has a false edge some 200mm long. It is flat, having no fuller of any description and a symmetrical point. The only feature indicating that either side of the blade is in more than one plane occurs where the short shoulder runs into the cutting edge, though there is an imperceptible change from a wedge section to a rectangular one with bewelled edges after the start of the false edge. It is etched dull and bright for about three-fifths of its length from the shoulder. The obverse inscriptions are, within a Shield of David, a brass proofmark, 'A.K.WILSON/CAPTAIN/R.N/EL-TEB/ADMIRATION/OF/ VALOUR' surmounted by a shield showing a wolf rampant, in chief a fleur-de-lys between two bezants foliage and scrolls within a border the Royal arms with rays above; foliage and scrolls within a border. On the reverse the inscriptions are 'HENRY WILKINSON PALL MALL LONDON', the motto 'BY APPOINTMENT', space, foliage and scrolls within a border, a foul anchor surmounted by a crown with rays above, foliage and scrolls within a border. The black leather scabbard is fitted with two gilt brass lockets and chape.

The Wilkinson blade is of an unusual pattern and was presumably made specially. The guard is likely (as is the whole hilt) to be the work of Matthews et al as it bears a number of that firm's features.

Admiral Wilson entered the navy in 1855; was a Midshipman in 1859; Sub-Lieutenant 1861; Lieutenant 1861; Commander 1873; Captain 1880; Rear-Admiral 1895; Vice-Admiral 1901; Admiral 1905; Admiral of the Fleet 1907 and died in 1921. Wilson is remembered for his part in the battle of El-Teb on 29 February 1884 - he landed with the Naval Brigade and when a gap occurred in the British square, he filled it for a moment unsupported. For his conduct he was awarded the Victoria Cross. This sword was awarded to him by the wives of naval officers at Malta.