Turkish scimitar owned by Commander Thomas Wells (died 1825). Family tradition has it that this sword was being sent by Napoleon to one of his generals when Wells's ship intercepted the boat it was travelling on and Wells took the sword.

Hilt is a 'Mameluke' hilt, with grip of polished brown horn. Mountings appear to be in silver, with narrow langets, acorn finials, and a silver back-piece sandwiched between the horn pieces of the grip, back and front, the rivets being decorated with flowers on either side. There is also a silver pommel with engraved decoration and the remains of a chain guard. The blade is highly curved with shallow fuller running for two-thirds of its length. The scabbard is wood covered with leather, the inner side of the scabbard slit to the top locket (171mm), with two suspension lockets and chape. The mounts are decorated rather in the French style (which gives the idea that it is Turkish, although the hilt is rather too delicate - that being a style of Indians Persians). The scabbard mounts are also decorated, sparsely, in the French style.

Thomas Wells was promoted to Lieutenant in 1795 and to Commander in 1808 while commanding the sloop HMS 'Cruiser'. In 1811 he commanded the sloop HMS 'Phipps' and in 1812 captured the French privateer 'Le Cerf'. Later that year he assisted in the recapture of HMS 'Apelles'. See also swords WPN1512 and WPN1514.