British 1827/46 pattern Royal Navy officer’s sword belonging to Cpt John Bryan Butchard RN. Made by Gieves Ltd of Portsea.
Cpt Butchard, who goes by his middle name, Bryan, attended the Royal Navy College in Dartmouth when he was just 13 years old. Cpt Butchard worked his way up through the Navy to become second-in-command of HMS Magpie during WW2. HMS Magpie was tasked with escorting and defending merchant convoys in the Atlantic and was responsible for sinking six enemy U-Boats. In February 1944, the then lieutenant Butchard captured the German U-Boat commander Hartwig Looks.
Captain Bryan Butchard RN (retired) was born in 1919 and lives today (May 2023) in Wiltshire, England. He is 104 years old.
The 795mm single-edged blade has a flat spine above a deep single fuller. The blade has a 260mm upper false edge and is etched with St. Edwards’ crown and the Royal Navy fouled anchor motif between rope fouled oak leaves and acorns. The obverse of the blade bears the royal cypher of King George VI (1936-1952) amidst fouled oak boughs. The blade is clean and bright and in good condition with some small, isolated spots of cleaned pitting on the edge and spine, with one deeper patch on the medial ride towards the point on one side.
The forte bears the Royal coat of arms with the motto “Dieu et Mon Droit.” The ricasso is etched with the maker’s name, “GIEVES.” The obverse ricasso bears the Gieves proof stud.
The gilt brass solid half-basket hilt is in very good condition. The bowl of the guard bears the crown and fouled anchor of the Royal Navy. The inner folding guard is in perfect working order and mates nicely with the pin on the scabbard. The folding section is engraved with the name, “J. B. Butchard RN. The mane of the highly detailed lion head pommel forms the back strap and the “D” guard extends from below the lion’s chin. The twisted gilt wire wrap is present and in good condition.
The brass mounted black leather scabbard is original to the sword and is in excellent condition. The sword sheaths and draws well and is held firmly within the scabbard and the locking pin engages.
This Royal Navy officer’s sword was the property of an extraordinary gentleman who had an eventful naval career during WW2 and whom at the age of 104, is still living an active life.
