Object Image

'Trafalgar' presentation sword of Vice Admiral Lord Collingwood

The hilt is of gold chased with wreaths and trophies, the grip set on either side with dark blue enamel plaques bearing the arms of Lord Collingwood and of the City of London, each plaque with a border of diamonds set in dark blue enamel.

The knuckle guard carries the following inscriptions in diamonds against a blue enamel ground on the outer face:
ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN TO DO HIS DUTY
and on the inner face:
TRAFALGAR

On either side of the pommel is a plaque enamelled with trophies in colour.

The single solid oval shell guard carries the following engraved inscription on the face adjacent to the blade:
PRESENTED BY THE
Corporation of the City of London
pursuant to a Vote of Common Council
Passed the 26th Novr. 1805
The Right Honble James Shaw Mayor
to Vice Admiral LORD COLLINGWOOD
for the brilliant & decisive Victory
obtained by his Majesty's Fleet
under his Command (upon whom it devolved
upon the ever to be lamented Death
of Vice Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson)
over the Combined Fleets of France and Spain
off Cape Trafalgar, on the 21st October 1805
Thereby affording to the World at Large
an additional & lasting proof
of British Valour

Blade: plain, of hollow triangular section.
Scabbard: covered with shagreen and having gold mounts, the locket being signed
Thos. Harper
207
Fleet St.
LONDON

1805

Steel, gold, enamal, diamonds, shagreen

1016.0 mm

IX.909

Image and text © Royal Armouries, 2020

Where you'll find this

Royal Armouries Museum
Royal Armouries Museum

Permanent collection

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