~ An Unique Naval Presentation Sabre Circa 1790-1800 and Scabbard ~
This piece is a former Royal Naval captain’s sword belonging to Captain Fane, a very well connected character back in the day.
The sword is mentioned in the book ‘British Naval Swords & Swordsmanship’ by John MCGrath & Mark Barton.
Here is the article about it:
“Sword of Captain Fane, an officer who had a meteoric rise from Lieutenant in 1801 to Post Captain in 1804, no doubt helped by his relationship through marriage to Admiral Lord St. Vincent, who was First lord of the Admiralty at this time. Fane became a prisoner of war in 1810 and never saw active service again. The sword has the Latin phrase on the hilt ‘Libus undis virtutis verae custos rigidusque satelles’ which is the second half of a quote from Epistles Book 1 Number 1 lines 16 and 17 and would have started ‘Nuc agilis fio, et mersor civilibus undis’ meaning ‘In the tumults of public affairs I am the guardian of true virtue and its stern companion’ the familly motto ‘Ne ville fano’ meaning ‘from the town shrine’ and mounted with the family symbol the Bull. The blade is inscribed ‘Intaminatis fulget honoribus’ which means ‘let him shrine with unstained honour’ Odes Book 3 Number line 18. Both are quotations from the Odes of Horace.’
The blade is etched: Intaminatis fulget honoribus – Untarnished, she shines with honor, between Britania and Royal Navy standards.
All elements of the guard are gold-plated. The hilt is shaped as a rope and pulley and the pommel is a bull head (most probably a family crest).
The grip is made of ivory with a fouled anchor cartouch in the middle.
This sword came owned by the Walther naval family and later by Captain Hardy c1812-15.
~ Condition ~
The piece is in good condition for its age.
The gilding is slightly worn in some places but the overall condition of it is excellent.
The blade is excellent.
The leather scabbard is worn, as expected for its age but its brass elements are still present.
Please refer to the pictures for more.
~ Dimension ~
The blade is 30 inches long and the overall length of the piece in its scabbard is 35 1/2 inches.
It weighs 1.1 kg.
MLHE00X
