CA0477 Georgian Agate Hilted Mameluke Presentation Sabre by Salter and Co and bearing the crest of Lord Grenville
An extremely fine example of a Georgian agate hilted Mameluke presentation sabre by Salter and Co and bearing the crest of Lord Grenville of Wotton-Underwood, Buckinghamshire (1759-1834), British Prime Minister from 1806-1807. Grenville entered the commons in 1782 and was an orator and statesman of high repute. He filled some of the most important ministerial offices during the Napoleonic Wars and the reign of King George III. He was elevated to the peerage in 1790. As prime minister, his most significant achievement was the abolition of the slave trade in 1807. Militarily he was appointed a Commanding Major in the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry Cavalry in 1798 and then a Lieutenant-Colonel of the (1st or Southern Regiment) Buckinghamshire Yeomanry Cavalry upon the renewal of hostilities with France in 1803. He held this position until his retirement in 1813, this sword probably dates from this period. The sword is believed to have been presented to William-Wyndham Grenville as a gift, though it is not clear why, as the blade's inscription have been removed for reasons unknown.
84cm pipe-backed blade double edged towards the point etched with foliage and scrolls against a false damascus ground and with two large panels originally containing inscriptions, mameluke hilt with agate grip from a khanjar with gilt rosettes, gilt crossguard cast with scrolls and trophies, the outer face with a removable disc which reveals the owner's crest. Fish skin covered wooden scabbard with extensive gilt mounts engraved with scrolls and foliage, fixed suspension rings cast with lions and foliage. English, circa 1813.
