Mameluke Saber given to British Officer

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 Oñoro, 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=15Pa...toricalFencing

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

.

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!

25th February 2022, 07:11 PM	#1
Calien Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 33	Mameluke Saber given to British Officer 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 Oñoro, 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=15Pa...toricalFencing Attached Images

1st March 2022, 10:13 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,215	BTTT 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

5th March 2022, 01:38 AM	#3
Helleri Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Boulder Creek, CA. Posts: 202	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.

5th March 2022, 08:27 AM	#4
AHorsa Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rhineland Posts: 352	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!

5th March 2022, 10:06 AM	#5
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,639	Is this magnificent sword in your collection, Calien ?

5th March 2022, 01:10 PM	#6
Calien Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 33	Yes it is currently in the mail after Nick finished his video.

5th March 2022, 01:19 PM	#7
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,639	Congratulations .

6th March 2022, 09:05 PM	#8
Bryce Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: North Queensland, Australia Posts: 174	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

7th March 2022, 02:50 AM	#9
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Well provenanced important piece of British military history. Congratulations!