Napoleonic, Royal Navy, spadroon dating from 1790

The five-ball spadroon with gilted hilt with typical five ball knuckle guard and side ring. The cushion pommel with proud tang, and the assembly fitted with a loose ring for hanging the portepee. The grip, again very typical for this style of sword, in reeded ivory, with a central gilt banded cartouche bearing the engraved crown and fouled anchor. The blade, with engraved decorative scrolls,and pre-1801 arms. The leather buffer pad still in place. The scabbard in dark brown / black leather, and with three mercuric gilted brass decorative mounts, the upper two with suspension rings. The leather scabbard shell with fine impressed decoration.

Condition report: The hilt assembly with only a relatively small amount of  mercuric gilt finish remaining. The reeded ivory grip in particularly good condition for this type of sword. Slight chip to the top, and the entire grip just slightly loose within its top and bottom mounts (this possibly preventing the grip from spliting).

The central cartouche also slightly loose within the grip, the engraving  clear and fine. The blade in a good,  bright grey state. Some slight pitting to the balde, especially along the leading edge. The original engraving  present and easily visible. some gilt finishing to the engraving remaining.

The scabbard leather  in a good state, and retaining shape when the blade is removed. Much of the original impressed decorative work to the scabbard shell is present. The scabbard mounts with most mercuric gilt now gone.

The hilt assembly and scabbard mounts with matching patination.

Note: The publication  Naval Swords & Dirks, by Sim Comfort (page 121) shows an almost identical sword.