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Calien
25th February 2022, 07:11 PM
It is really not everyday you get to see a sword with such an immense history! Not only was this sword presented to the Coldstream Guards by the Mameluk chief Ibrahim Bey, who had fought Napoleon at the battle of the Pyramids three years before, it then served three generations of one family of officers serving in the Coldstream Guards, where it served through the Peninsula campaign and the 100 days where the owner fought at Quatre Bras. Its final owner was killed at Inkerman during the Crimean war in 1854. The second British owner who is painted with the sword in around the 1830s also fought at Fuentes de Oņoro, Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca and Vittoria he also publish his memoirs of the campaign. He was also largely responsible for the industrial development of a nearby Welsh town, Llanelli. -Nick Thomas.

This was written by Nick for a sword I won at auction a few months back with some really amazing history, he also made a video about it if you want to see more details. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Paw9lnV4k&t=127s&ab_channel=AcademyofHistoricalFencing
kai
1st March 2022, 10:13 PM
Not my area of expertise but wondering what others might be able to contribute?

Certainly sounds like a good dose of history here!

Regards,
Kai
Helleri
5th March 2022, 01:38 AM
The provenance here is so rich! I think what would be absolutely stellar is if you could get a large framed print of this portrait that was done of one of the owners wearing it. That way you could have the sword itself from a painting right under the painting (well a print of the painting anyways). That would be such an awesome display.
AHorsa
5th March 2022, 08:27 AM
That's a phantastic piece of history. Must be an unbelievable feeling to hold it in your hand knowing it's way through historical happenings and persons. Congratulations!
fernando
5th March 2022, 10:06 AM
Is this magnificent sword in your collection, Calien ?
Calien
5th March 2022, 01:10 PM
Yes it is :) currently in the mail after Nick finished his video.
fernando
5th March 2022, 01:19 PM
Congratulations :cool:.
Bryce
6th March 2022, 09:05 PM
G'day Calien,
Normally I would say take anything engraved on a scabbard after the fact with a grain of salt, but in this case, the portrait shows that at the very least Stepney Cowell did have this sword in his possession. Well done!
Cheers,
Bryce
ariel
7th March 2022, 02:50 AM
Well provenanced important piece of British military history. Congratulations!