E5449

Hilt of Turkish scimitar Long Caption: Turkish scimitar owned by Commander Thomas Wells (died 1825). Family tradition has it that this sword was being sent by Napoleon to one of his generals when Wells's ship intercepted the boat it was travelling on and Wells took the sword. Thomas Wells was promoted to Lieutenant in 1795 and to Commander in 1808 while commanding the sloop HMS 'Cruiser'. In 1811 he commanded the sloop HMS 'Phipps' and in 1812 captured the French privateer 'Le Cerf'. Later that year he assisted in the recapture of HMS 'Apelles'. See also swords WPN1512 and WPN1514. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Object: WPN1514 Artist: unknown Date: unknown Medium: leather; wood; horn; silver; steel Size: 787 mm x 32 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.