Victorian 1897P Royal Artillery Sword of
Colonel J.A.F. Nutt, Sold |
With his earlier blade (serial number 14093 for 1865), in overall
good condition, the 1897P hilted Royal Artillery sword of Colonel
J.A.F. Nutt. Bearing the family coat of arms for the Nutt family
and Mackenzie clan, plus the Order of the Garter.
Information on Nutt, coats of arms, etc. below.
James Anson Francis Nutt was the youngest of his siblings, his
father was the Reverend Charles Nutt, his mother was Jane Mackenzie
- she was the daughter of a Jamaican plantation owner - Peter Mackenzie.
This explains the two coat of arms, one for the Nutts, the other
for the Mackenzies.
Nutt coat of arms: On a chapeau Gules turned up Ermine. a pheon
Or., between two wings Agrent (on a red chapeau lined with ermine
golden arrow/bolt head between two silver/white wings)
Scots crest for Mackenzie: The motto reads Lunceo non uro - I shine
but do not burn
James Anson Francis Nutt was commissioned in the Royal Artillery
on 12 Jan 1866 as a Lieut. He was promoted to Captain 01 April 1878
and served in the Afghan campaign in 1880 and awarded the medal
for such. He was promoted to Major on 01 March 1884, and promoted
to Lt. Col. on 19 Aug 1893. In 1896 he was the commanding officer
of the Royal Artillery at St Thomas' Mount. He was promoted to Colonel
on the 19 Aug 1897 and moved to the reserve list on half pay on
19 Aug 1898. In 1899 he was called up and served until 17 April
1900 then returned to the reserves. He continued to be listed in
the reserves until 1906, but by 1910 he had been removed. See: http://www.thepeerage.com/p8296.htm
The long 34 1/4 inch blade originally was mounted to a Royal Artillery
pattern sword but obviously remounted by him into the 1897P hilt
when he was promoted to Colonel (he did not have any sons to follow
him into the army, just three daughters, Jane, Maria and Elizabeth).
The blade etching is still very clear but the blade has patches
of patina. Blade firm in hilt. The plated hilt has lost much plating
and the steel now has patina. The fishskin grip is good but with
wear and has faded. The twisted grip wire bindings still good. The
scabbard is in good order but aged and the metal fittings have some
patina patches. The sword sheathes and draws well. The blade is
period sharpened and has some small nicks, believed to be period,
to the cutting edge, possibly if not probably from use in the Afghan
Campaign.
The provenance and history alone are worth the price £? (too
late, now sold). Please quote item reference P18 (0217). Further
/ full sized images available upon request.
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