Solid half-basket hilted sword owned by Admiral Colin Keppel. The hilt consists of a basket with raised bars and crown and anchor badge (crown 1901-52 pattern). There is a lion's-head pommel and back-piece, the mane extending down its full length, and a white fish-skin grip bound with three gilt wires. The hilt is pierced near the blade to take the scabbard catch. The blade is a straight, two-edged 'Claymore' type with two narrow grooves running to within 203mm of the point. The black leather scabbard has two gilt lockets with rings and chape ornamented with lines, scrolls, acorns and oak leaves (FO's pattern). The sword-knot is regulation blue and gold cord with a barrel-shaped mould, covered with blue and gold gimp.

The blade is inscribed on the obverse with a proofmark ('P' within a Star of David on the shoulder), a crest showing swan/serpent head and neck rising from a ducal coronet 'GK' below, decorative scroll work, a foul anchor with crown above, rays and scrollwork, 'WITH THIS SWORD, KING GEORGE V. KNIGHTED IN 1914/ THE RT.HON.S.C.BUXTON, THE RT.HON.R.G.MUNRO-FERGUSON, REAR-ADMIRAL DAVID BEATTY'. On the reverse is the Viscount's coronet, 'B' below, scroll work, Royal arms, rays, scrollwork, 'VISCOUNT BORODALE R.N. FROM COLIN KEPPEL, ADMIRAL, 1927'.

Viscount Borodale, later 2nd Earl Beatty, was the son of Admiral of the Fleet the Earl David Beatty. Admiral Colin Keppel was an Extra Naval Equerry to the King. Beatty's knighthood (KCB) was gazetted on 22 June 1914. The sword was received with another sword, uniforms, orders, medals and presentation silver belonging to David Beatty.