| Description
| presented to Lieutenant General Sir Rowland Hill in 1814 by the City of Birmingham. This is a highly decorative, presentation sword, rather than a functional weapon designed for use in action. The blade is curved and of similar shape and proportion to the 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Troopers' sword, with a broad, shallow fuller on each side. The hilt is of glided metal and formed into a representation of an eagle devouring a serpent, a theme that is continued on the decoration of the blade. The backpiece, pommel, and ivory grip are shaped into the body and head of the eagle, in whose beak is the neck of the snake. The body of the snake forms the knuckleguard, looping around the crossguard, part of which is shaped like the eagles claw clutching the snakes body. The entire hilt section is incredibly detailed, the metal work being textured to represent the scales of the snake and the plummage of the eagle's feathers. The blade has been decoratively blued for approximately the first half of its length, and bears extensive gilt decoration and etching which carries onto the spine.
The sword is accompanied by a scabbard, carrying the makers details of Reddell of 47 Piccadilly, London. As the sword does not fit the scabbard, which has a more pronounced curve to that of the blade, it is unlikely that this is the correct scabbard.
An engraving by James Jenkins, published in August 1814, would appear to show Lord Hill wearing a sword with a similar snake and eagle hilt; the scabbard in the engraving is slightly different to that which accompanies the sword. |
