Natal Presentation Sword

[Mervyn Mitton]

Interesting example of an infantry officers' sword - Boer War period. Has a lot of inscriptions engraved on the blade - including the owner's name. We were lucky enough to find ref. to him in the 1906 Natal Who's Who - a rare book in it's own right - it was the only issue for that period and lists many of the early settlers. Edward 7th. swords are always sought after - being a short reign there are not that many of them. The other rare thing is that the Natal arms of two running Wildebeeste (knu) are shown .The sword is by Hobson - a swordmaker on par with Wilkinson. However, for a special commission I can't say that the engraving is particularly well done - perhaps they were working to a budget ? What do you think Jonathen ?

[Mervyn Mitton]

NNC were the Natal Naval Contingent and had a unit in the Defense of Ladysmith. The write-up mentions two medals and four bars. Obviously QSA and KSA - perhaps Def. of Ladysmith ?

p.s. Fancy putting 'Volunteering' as a hobby. We had a name for that when I was at school !!!

Edited August 6, 2009 by Mervyn Mitton

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

I've just noticed that the horns on the lower wildebeeste have become a tusk !! Must have been an apprentice doing the work ?

Edited August 6, 2009 by Mervyn Mitton

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Jonathan Hopkins]

Mervyn,

Thank you for posting this nice sword. I think Hobson were a quality firm, but the etching is not up to Wilkinson standards, in my experience. The name etching seems particularly sloppy. Here is a Hobson P1897 that used to be in my collection. It belonged to EDMOND GRAY STUART TRUELL, who graduated from the Royal Military College on 7 May 1898. This date would be perfect timing for this officer to have purchased the sword. Truell was later assigned to service with the Mounted Infantry in S. Africa and the Connaught Rangers:

I will see if I can find anything more on your man, Kenny.

All the best,

Jonathan

[Mervyn Mitton]

That would be good. The engraving on your sword is far superior than the Natal sword - in fact, I can't think of a worse example. I am actually wondering if it was an ummarked sword and they got someone here, in Natal, to do the engraving ? The alternative is that he must have been drunk....

[Jonathan Hopkins]

Mervyn,

It is possible that the sword was retailed through a local tailor or outfitter and that the etching was done by them, hence the poor quality of the name.

Jonathan

[Jonathan Hopkins]

I found this at angloboerwar.com:

Kenny, Signalman D C. QSA (3) DoL Tr LN

[Mervyn Mitton]

That's great Jonathan - so he was trapped in Ladysmith with the Natal Naval Contingent. Would rather have his medals than the sword - a rare unit. Thankyou.

[Jonathan Hopkins]

That's great Jonathan - so he was trapped in Ladysmith with the Natal Naval Contingent. Would rather have his medals than the sword - a rare unit. Thankyou.

His medals could be worth more than the sword, I suppose. That is often the case. However, whether or not his sword was used or even worn during the conflict, it may have at least been in the city with him. In that sense, it was there, while the medals were not. For me that is the appeal of swords over medals. The swords witnessed history, while the medals were awarded after the fact.

Jonathan