THE 1847 PATTERN OFFICER'S AND DRESS SWORDS OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN PARRY JONES-PARRY BY J. GALT

Lot 164

THE 1847 PATTERN OFFICER'S AND DRESS SWORDS OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN PARRY JONES-PARRY BY J. GALT, HIGH STREET, PORTSMOUTH the first with slightly curved blade double-edged towards the point, etched with scrolling foliage and the crowned Royal Arms on one face and with further foliage, a fouled anchor and the maker's details 'J.Galt., High St, Portsmouth' on the other, solid brass half-basket-hilt with folding side-guard, cast with a fouled anchor on the outside, lionhead pommel in its brass-mounted leather scabbard (now in two pieces), including locket with the maker's details on a garter enclosing the Royal Arms; the second similar, with etched light-weight blade, in its scabbard the first: 77.7 cm; 30 5/8 in blade (2) Rear-Admiral John Parry Jones-Parry (1829-1920), Lord of the Manor of Thelwall, Cheshire, entered the Navy in 1845, became a mate 17th November 1851 and joined the Excellent (Gunnery school ship) at Portsmouth in June 1852. The following year he was appointed to the Terrible and served in that ship in the Black Sea throughout the war with Russia. He was present at the bombardments of Odessa and Sebastopol. His practical understanding of naval ordnance resulted in his invention of a non-recoil gun-carriage and mantle that protected the crew. He became a captain on 29th December 1871 and rear-admiral on 1st January 1888. After his retirement he became a Justice of the Peace for Cheshire. By family tradition, the dress sword was worn by Jones-Parry at the Duke of Wellington's funeral 18th November 1852.