Charge of the Light Brigade, Balaklava, 1854

[Norman McCormick]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

TheM1821 by Osborn would seem to have predated the 1840s as that maker did not prevail much past 1820s I dont think. He was of course involved in the sword scandal issues vs. German blades in the 1790s and the main developer of the M1796 pattern, but perhaps family still in business then.

Hi Jim,
Thought this might be of interest. Seems Osborn sword making may have ceased in the 1830's.
My Regards,
Norman.

Henry Osborn

of Bordesley, Birmingham
1812 Patent No. 3617 for machinery for welding and making barrels and firearms and other cylindrical articles. 1813 Patent No. 3740 for 'machinery for tapering gun barrels, &c' using grooved rolls [1]
1820 Osborn started making gas pipes using the method he'd patented for gun barrels [2].
1827 'DIED.- On the 11th inst. at his residence, Whitmore House, Small-heath, Mr. Henry Osborn, many years an eminent gun and sword manufacturer of Bordesley ;-and on the same day, and within a few hours, his brother, Mr. John Osborn, of Cheapside, in this town.'[3]
1832 'TO MANUFACTURERS AND OTHERS. TO be LET, and may be entered upon immediately the extensive Manufacturing Establishment called BORDESLEY MILLS, for many years carried on the late Hr. Henry Osborn, and now by his Widow, consisting of capital Counting-houses and Workmen's-houses, Grinding and Rolling Mills, Forging, Polishing, and other Shops, and most commodious premises, with two Steam Engines in excellent order, one of 56-horse power and the other of 28-horse power.
At the above Establishment, which lies close the town of Birmingham, the lucrative trades carried on by the late Mr. Osborn may be continued, or the premises are capable of conversion to any of the other trades of the midland manufacturing district, and may be occupied as a whole or in two or more parts.
For particulars and to treat apply to Messrs. Arnold and Haines, Solicitors. Birmingham.'[4]
1835 'BORDESLEY MILLS, BIRMINGHAM.
THOMAS OSBORN begs most respectfully to thank those parties who have given him their support since the decease of his late brother, Henry Osborn, and to inform them and the Public generally, that he has made arrangements for carrying on the Trades of SWORD-CUTLER and GUN-MANUFACTURER in all their branches, for the joint benefit of himself and sisters, and assures them that all orders entrusted to him shall have his strictest attention. October 10, 1835.'[5]
1836 'PURSUANT to a Decree of the High Court Chancery, made in a cause of Osborn against Osborn, the Creditors of HENRY OSBORN the elder, late of Whitmore House and Bordesley Mills, Birmmgham, Swordcutler and Gun-maker, who died in the month of August, 1827, are, on or before tbe 28th day May next, to come in and prove their debts before Sir Giffin Wilson, one of the Masters of the said Court, at his Chambers in Southampton Buildings, Chancery-lane, London, or in default thereof they will peremptorily be excluded tbe benefit of the said decree.
Dated the 10th of April, 1836. SANGSTER and PUGH, Solicitors, 1 Bond Court, Walbrook.
F. MOLE, solicitor. Carr's-lane, Birmingham.
'PURSUANT to a Decree of the High Court of Chnacery, made in a cause of Osborn against Osborn, the Creditors of HANNAH OSBORN, late of Whitmore House, Bordesley Mills, Birmingham (widow of Henry Osborn of the same place, Sword-cutler and Gun-maker) who died in the month of April, 1833, are, on or before the 20th day of May next, to come in and prove their debts before Sir Giffin Wilson, one of the Masters of the said Court, at his Chambers in Southampton Buildings, Chancery-lane, London, or in default thereof they will peremptorily be excluded tbe benefit of the said decree.
Dated the 10th of April, 1836. SANGSTER and PUGH, Solicitors, 1 Bond Court, Walbrook.
F. MOLE, solicitor. Carr's-lane, Birmingham.'[6]

[Jim McDougall]

Very much so Norman! Thank you.
I had not realized Osborn had continued that long into the century, and I honestly had never seen a M1821 by Osborn as his activity was so much more situated with the 1796 swords. It would seem that one of these by him would indeed be unusual and well before 1840s.

Interesting to see the MOLE name in capacity of solicitor. I of course always think of that name with the sword maker in Birmingham said to have begun c.1832, and well known with British military swords through the century.

[Will M]

Jim I've seen the Mole name on hangers circ 1800.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Will M

Jim I've seen the Mole name on hangers circ 1800.

Ahah! I knew MOLE had to have been before 1832, after all the Mohll family from Shotley had been around since the 17th c. so the 1832 was kinda suspect.

[ariel]

I have a sword of General Pavel Liprandi, who was a commander of Russian forces at Balaclava.
He came to inspect the just captured Turkish battery and happened to witness the entire charge of the Light Brigade from the receiving end.

The entire affair was a glorious stupidity.

[Will M]

Can you post photos of General Pavel Liprandi's sword?

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,
Here is the sword of Lt Edward Lavallin Puxley who served with the 4th Light Dragoons in Crimea. He arrived in Crimea after the charge. It is not maker marked, but the proved poincon is the same one I have seen on some Reeves marked swords. It is pictured above a Wilkinson of the same vintage for comparison.

Cheers,
Bryce