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Title General Officer's mamaluke, 1831 pattern (R C Hart, VC)
Nationality British
Period 1896
Sold

This sword is engraved at the forte 'R.C. HART 1896', together with the maker's details, Thurkle of London. Gen. Hart (born 1848) was awarded the VC in the Afghan War (1879) for running 1,200 yards exposed to fire on both flanks to save a wounded Sowar, when he drove off the enemy and brought him under cover with the aid of some soldiers.

He served as Lt. Gov. and GOC in Guernsey 1914-18. Attributable swords to VC winners are quite hard to find and even rarer perhaps are General Officer's mamalukes to such officers. (Full details from the VC Register and Cheltenham College Register are available.) He was a Royal Engineer regular soldier all his life.

This fine sword, with elephant ivory grips (very good condition), is complete with its red and gold bullion sword knot. The brass scabbard has some wear and tear and a few dents. The blade has obviously suffered at some time, been cleaned off and then electro-plated with a silver finish. It would originally have had an acid/frost-etched finish on polished steel. The gilding has been completely polished off the crossguard.

The picture of Captain Hart comes from Shadbolt's 'Afghan War 1879'. A visitor to my site has informed me of 'a fascinating biography of Gen. Hart's nephew (also a general - all the family seemed to be generals, including an earlier one who edited Hart's Army List). The book is "Sword and Blossom" (by Peter Pagnamenta and Momoko Williams, Penguin Press, ISBN 1 59420 089 0, available from Amazon) and has some family photos, including one of Sir Reginald with his nephew in 1919, in which Sir Reginald is wearing an 1831 pattern [sword] - this one? ... it's really a story of cousin [nephew?] Arthur Hart-Synot's doomed affair with a Japanese woman. It does, however, contain a fair amount of family and military history. I found it compelling reading.'

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.


[Edged Weapons : Swords : British : 19th Century]

testimonials

Today received railway truncheon in great nik! Superb item gone to a very good home. Many thanks for your patience with this exercise ... Well done.

A C, Australia, 28.11.2013

The day the blunderbuss arrives I could not stop looking and feeling the gun for at least one hour. My wife told me that I was sick........ I am very happy, it is a piece of craftsmanship! Well made! I have 5 blunderbusses but all iron barrel, also from England but this one is gorgeous with the Brass Barrel.

Please keep me informed when you have any other type of blunderbuss. Thanks my friend!

M R, USA, 04.08.2011

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