FAMOUS FIGHTERS' SWORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11825, 30 November 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

FAMOUS FIGHTERS' SWORDS.

It is but seldom that the swords of Great Britain's famous fighters find their way into a public auction-room, but a few have heen thus disposed of. Among the items of more than ordinary interest put up a year or two ago by a well-known London auctioneer was the sword supposed to have been used by the lion-hearted Earl of Cardigan at the Battle of Balaclava. It changed hands at eight and a-half guineas. A better result attended a sale of some still more famous swords at the rooms of Messrs. Christie. On that occasion the sword used by Nelson, when a mate, called forth some spirited bidding. Although it was only an ordinary regulation weapon, of no intrinsic value, the price was run up to no less than 260 guineas. ■Strangely enough, this was £33 more than was realised for a very valuable and artistic sword that had belonged townother famous admiral, Lord Colling wood, sold on the same occasion. This had been presented to him by the city of London. Its golden hilt and scabbard mounts, which were beautifully engraved and chased, were enriched with diamonds and enamel.

The gold pillow-formed grip had on one side the arms of the city in coloured enamels, surrounded with brilliants, and on the other side the arms of the recipient, with similar precious surroundings. On the knuckle-bow, set in brilliants on blue enamel, was the famous inscription, "England expects every man to do his duty." together with, the magic word "Trafalgar." This beautiful weapon was bought on behalf of Lady Meux for £240.

Her ladyship also secured the sword presented to Lord Col ling wood by the Corporation of Liverpool, in recognition of the same stirring victory. It was a very handsome weapon, gold-hilted and mounted with engraved bands. The price realised was £160.

The sword of Admiral Villeneuve, Com-mander-in-Chief of the combined fleets of France and Spain in that fight,' brought sixty guineas. That of Don Baltazar Hidalgo Cisneros. Rear-Admiral of the Spanish fleet, commanded only twenty-five guineas, which was, however, two guineas more than the highest bid for the sword of the captain of the Santa Anna. These three weapons were all captured by Lord Collingwood.

At the same time a very interesting and remarkable sword-handle of Indian agate was submitted to public competition. It had formerly been the property of the notorious Tippoo Sahib, and was inlaid with jive line, large, old Oriental brilliants. It realised the substantial sum of £260.

The market value of relics of Britain's great naval and military heroes seems to fluctuate in >•■. really extraordinary fashion. In the month of July, 1893, there was offered by public auction in a London saleroom the sword worn by the gallant Nelson when he first went to sea. No adequate bid being forthcoming, it had to be withdrawn, a circumstance which contrast* strangely with the spirited contest for the intrinsically worthless weajjon mentioned above.