Original Item. Only One Available. This is a scarce M1852 Naval Officer’s dress sword with a London-manufactured blade. The blade was made by Joseph Starkey of Conduit Street, London. These swords are scarce in their own right but to have a foreign-made blade made this example a real treasure. The sword is contained in a fine leather scabbard that is brass mounted, with knotted rope base fittings for the suspension rings, which are both present with their original hangers attached. There is also an entire sea serpent wrapped around the bottom mount, the drag.

The sword's hand guard is elaborately molded with a sea serpent as part of the bow. The hilt is absolutely gorgeous and the grip is wrapped rayskin and is brass wire bound. Both the rayskin wrap and brass are in excellent condition for their age. The part basket is embossed with Oak leaves and acorns and displays the letters U.S.N.. The pommel shows an eagle surrounded by 13 Stars. All the brass mounts were originally gold washed or plated and much is still evident after so many years.

The blade is clearly marked on the ricasso

JOSEPH
STARKEY
CONDUIT ST
LONDON

The blade itself is in rough shape but the gorgeous engraving is still present, with an anchor and shield surrounded by vinery on one side with HATFIELD embossed near the bottom, which may be a name or the designer of the blade. The leather washer is also still present, something that is often missing on these.

The scabbard of this example is beautiful but the leather is in very rough condition for its age, with the stitches almost completely gone and crazing evident on one side. Extreme caution should be taken when removing the sword from the scabbard as some of the brass fittings are loose on the leather. The scabbard droops down when the sword is removed which verifies this as 100% real.

This is a downright beautiful British-made sword with a gorgeous patina that will only get better with age. Comes ready for further research and display.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 29 ¾” 
Blade Style: Single Edged Saber with Double Fullers
Overall length: 35 ⅜”
Crossguard: 5” wide x 5 1/2” long
Scabbard Length: 30 ½”