Pierced half-basket hilted sword. Owned by Rear-Admiral C.R. Adams, USN. The hilt consists of a pierced half-basket guard, with inset oak leaves and acorns with a small plaque bearing the letters 'U.S.N.' The knuckle-bow and upturned quillon are in the form of dolphins. A capped pommel extends about a third of the way down the back of the grip, which lacks a back-piece. The top of the cap has an eagle surrounded by a circlet of thirteen stars in relief. The white fish-skin grip broadens slightly from the pommel. A swordknot is attached.

The blade is very slightly curved, with a central fuller for about two-thirds of its length and is etched, with dull and bright work. The black leather scabbard has brass mounts. The top and mid lockets have a sailor's knot in relief to which the suspension rings are attached, and have a stamped, simple pattern near their edges. The chape has no decoration, apart from three stamped lines of pattern at the top, and the shoe is in the form of a dolphin. There is a brown leather carrying case, with handle attached (as it has come off). The obverse of the blade is inscribed with a brass proofmark grooved with a brass pellet within a Shield of David, geometric designs around the owner's name 'CARLTON R.ADAMS', a shield of stars and stripes on a foul anchor, foliage scrolls, circlet of sixteen stars, foliage scrolls, masthead with two furled sails and flag 'U.S.N', with crossed axes and trident about it, and a foliage scroll ending in seven balls, diminishing in size towards the apex.

The reverse is inscribed with foliage scrolls surmounted by an eagle and rays, foliage scrolls, a foul anchor, foliage, a scroll bearing the initials 'U.S.N.', and foliage giving way to seven balls, diminishing in size towards the apex. The spine is stamped 'GERMANY' and is inscribed with foliage for half of its length. The top locket of the scabbard bears his initials, interlaced 'C.R.A.' Rear-Admiral Carlton R. Adams - from his file it appears that he was with the British Navy during the Second World War as an executive officer aboard USS Lang stationed at Scapa Flow. Whilst serving here he made two trips to relieve Malta with H.M.S. Eagle and U.S.S.Wasp.