MAKER’S MARK OF CORNELIOUS BLAND, CIRCA 1790

with sharply tapering blade of hollow triangular section bright over two-thirds of its length to the point, the forte on both sides etched and gilt with rocailles and foliage involving a trophy, all against a blued ground, hilt comprising dished ovoidal guard and inner-guard each with beaded outer border, quillon-block with a flower-head on both sides, knuckle-guard with a flower-head between beading on both sides, swelling reeded grip decorated en suite, urn-shaped pommel, and retaining nearly all its gilding, in its wood-lined snakeskin scabbard (the lower third replaced in vellum, chape missing) with silver-gilt locket and suspension mount, and two suspension rings, 85.8 cm blade

For further details of Cornelious Bland (1748-94), gifted goldsmith, silver-smith and hilt maker and for a related example of his work (in the Royal Armouries, Leeds, inv. no. IX.2243) see Leslie Southwick, London Silver-hilted Swords: Their Makers, Suppliers and Allied Traders, with Directory, 2001, pp. 50,51 and 295, pl. 93.