E1076

Mameluke hilted sword Long Caption: Mameluke hilted sword, which belonged to Admiral Sir Charles Howe Fremantle (1800-1869). The 'mameluke' hilt of the sword consists of straight gilt quillons ending in Royal crowns and straight gilt langets, which are embossed with a foul anchor motif which is surrounded by a wreath. The polished white ivory grip has a hole to accommodate a sword knot, which is attached. The slightly curved steel blade is flat-backed, and double-edged for 230 mm from the point. In 1842 permission was given for Flag Officers to wear at their discretion, instead of the usual pattern, a sword with a 'mameluke' hilt in imitation of the General Officers of the Army. This style of sword was not universally popular and its use was abandoned in 1856. However, some Officers did wear this type of sword after 1856. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Object: WPN1050 Artist: E. & E. Emanuel Date: 1854 Medium: gilt; ivory; steel; leather Size: 30 mm x 930 mm x 140 mm; 762 mm x 29 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.