RARE AND HISTORIC 100 GUINEA LLOYD’S PRESENTATION SWORD FOR HERO OF BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR.

John Pilford joined the Navy at the age of thirteen in 1782, which was common in his day of learning the trade of a sailor. He was promoted through the ranks of the Royal Navy and was distinguished in battle during the “GLORIOUS 1ST OF JUNE” Naval Battle in 1794 where he was promoted to lieutenant. He served gallantly on his first assignment on the H.M.S. Russell where three enemy ships were taken during the battle of Groix, June 23,1795, Russell lost three men killed and ten men wounded. As a reward he was posted on the 18-gun sloop HMS Kingfisher capturing prizes off the Spanish and Portuguese coast. He was instrumental in quelling mutiny in 1797 and in 1798 he was transferred to the 74-gun HMS Impetueux. He gained notoriety in 1800 when leading a raiding party into the Morebihan River and destroyed a dozen French ships and wrecking port facilities int he river. Now a notorious and wealthy first lieutenant, Pilford met and married during the “Peace of Amiens” but war would soon come again. Pilford was back aboard the HMS Hindostan in 1803 then HMS Dragon and there to HMS Ajax. Ajax which was commanded by Capt. William Brown. Captain Brown was involved in a scandal which resulted in court martial. Brown place Pilford in charge of the Ajax, which joined Nelson’s fleet during the blockade of Cadiz. Ajax was sixth in Nelson’s line, Oct. 21, 1805 the battle which ensued became the most decisive Naval victory in world history to that date. Lord Nelson’s 27 ships of the line defeated 33 French & Spanish ships. The Franco-Spanish fleet lost 22 ships, without a single British vessel being lost. Admiral Nelson was mortally wounded and the Captains of each British vessel were given a fabulous 100 Guinea Sword by the Lloyd’s patriotic fund. HMS Ajax was the only vessel commanded by a lower ranking officer, and Lt. Pilford too was given a sword which blade presentation in 3-lines reads, “FROM THE PATRIOTIC FUND AT LLYODS TO JOHN PILFORD ESQ CAPTAIN OF HMS AJAX FOR HIS MERITORIUS SERVICES IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE SIGNAL VICTORY OBTAINED OVER THE COMBINED FLEETS OF FRANCE AND SPAIN OF CAPE TRAFALGAR ON THE 21ST OF OCTOBER 1805”. The fine mahogany presentation case also reads on the mounting plaque, “From the Patriotic Fund Lloyd’s London to Lieut. John Pilford R.N. of HMS Ajax 1805. A secondary inscription on scabbard throat reads, “Presented to Movis D’Omer Jac Aberle Prop Tivoli Theatre March 1st 1878”. I can imagine this sword being used as a prop in a Shakespearean play in Victorian England. John Pilford never commanded at sea again, with his wealth from prize money in his glorious Naval career he spent his time as a gentleman farmer and funding the lifestyle of his nephew Percy Bysshe Shelley, who is regarded among the finest poets of the English language. Pilford died in 1834 and was buried at St. George’s Church in Plymouth. The churchyard which contained his tombstone was bombed by the German’s in the Blitz, 1941 and there is no indication of his burial spot today as the area is now covered in a parking lot. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our “Ivory Position Statement” and the “Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object”. This information is located in our catalog on pages 30 and 31. PROVENANCE: Lieutenant John Pilford 1805. Tivoli Theatre 1878. Collection of W. Scott Ferris. Pictured in American Society of Arms Collectors Journal #86 in article “British Naval Edged Weapons” by Peter Tuite. CONDITION: Fine to very fine overall. 32″ x 1-1/2″ wide blade, gold & blue decoration are all intact and discernible. Gold highlights are about 80% present and blue is about 50% retained. Several of the words in 3-line presentation are difficult to read due to loss of gold, blade is otherwise fine with scattered areas of staining & pitting. Brass hilt, scabbard & decoration retain over 90% of their orig gold plating. Velvet backgrounds to scabbard panels have lost most of their velvet nap. Scabbard is missing one screw retaining throat and there are two light bends 6-8″ above drag. The certifiable antique elephant ivory grip has several chips at pommel and one near bifurcated flange on right side about 1/2″ by 1/4″. The orig mahogany veneered case is very good to fine overall, with normal nicks, scratches and other minor blemishes to surface associated with 200 years. Interior of box is very good retaining good nap & color to the green felt lining. Richard Teed’s vellum label in case is stained as can be seen in photos otherwise sound and easily discerned. 4-55553 JS (125,000-150,000) – Lot 1375

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Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1375	$115,000.00	RARE AND HISTORIC 100 GUINEA LLOYD’S PRESENTATION SWORD FOR HERO OF BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR. John Pilford joined the Navy at the age of thirteen in 1782, which was common in his day of learning the trade of a sailor. He was promoted through the ranks of the Royal Navy and was distinguished in battle during the “GLORIOUS 1ST OF JUNE” Naval Battle in 1794 where he was promoted to lieutenant. He served gallantly on his first assignment on the H.M.S. Russell where three enemy ships were taken during the battle of Groix, June 23,1795, Russell lost three men killed and ten men wounded. As a reward he was posted on the 18-gun sloop HMS Kingfisher capturing prizes off the Spanish and Portuguese coast. He was instrumental in quelling mutiny in 1797 and in 1798 he was transferred to the 74-gun HMS Impetueux. He gained notoriety in 1800 when leading a raiding party into the Morebihan River and destroyed a dozen French ships and wrecking port facilities int he river. Now a notorious and wealthy first lieutenant, Pilford met and married during the “Peace of Amiens” but war would soon come again. Pilford was back aboard the HMS Hindostan in 1803 then HMS Dragon and there to HMS Ajax. Ajax which was commanded by Capt. William Brown. Captain Brown was involved in a scandal which resulted in court martial. Brown place Pilford in charge of the Ajax, which joined Nelson’s fleet during the blockade of Cadiz. Ajax was sixth in Nelson’s line, Oct. 21, 1805 the battle which ensued became the most decisive Naval victory in world history to that date. Lord Nelson’s 27 ships of the line defeated 33 French & Spanish ships. The Franco-Spanish fleet lost 22 ships, without a single British vessel being lost. Admiral Nelson was mortally wounded and the Captains of each British vessel were given a fabulous 100 Guinea Sword by the Lloyd’s patriotic fund. HMS Ajax was the only vessel commanded by a lower ranking officer, and Lt. Pilford too was given a sword which blade presentation in 3-lines reads, “FROM THE PATRIOTIC FUND AT LLYODS TO JOHN PILFORD ESQ CAPTAIN OF HMS AJAX FOR HIS MERITORIUS SERVICES IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE SIGNAL VICTORY OBTAINED OVER THE COMBINED FLEETS OF FRANCE AND SPAIN OF CAPE TRAFALGAR ON THE 21ST OF OCTOBER 1805”. The fine mahogany presentation case also reads on the mounting plaque, “From the Patriotic Fund Lloyd’s London to Lieut. John Pilford R.N. of HMS Ajax 1805. A secondary inscription on scabbard throat reads, “Presented to Movis D’Omer Jac Aberle Prop Tivoli Theatre March 1st 1878”. I can imagine this sword being used as a prop in a Shakespearean play in Victorian England. John Pilford never commanded at sea again, with his wealth from prize money in his glorious Naval career he spent his time as a gentleman farmer and funding the lifestyle of his nephew Percy Bysshe Shelley, who is regarded among the finest poets of the English language. Pilford died in 1834 and was buried at St. George’s Church in Plymouth. The churchyard which contained his tombstone was bombed by the German’s in the Blitz, 1941 and there is no indication of his burial spot today as the area is now covered in a parking lot. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our “Ivory Position Statement” and the “Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object”. This information is located in our catalog on pages 30 and 31. PROVENANCE: Lieutenant John Pilford 1805. Tivoli Theatre 1878. Collection of W. Scott Ferris. Pictured in American Society of Arms Collectors Journal #86 in article “British Naval Edged Weapons” by Peter Tuite. CONDITION: Fine to very fine overall. 32″ x 1-1/2″ wide blade, gold & blue decoration are all intact and discernible. Gold highlights are about 80% present and blue is about 50% retained. Several of the words in 3-line presentation are difficult to read due to loss of gold, blade is otherwise fine with scattered areas of staining & pitting. Brass hilt, scabbard & decoration retain over 90% of their orig gold plating. Velvet backgrounds to scabbard panels have lost most of their velvet nap. Scabbard is missing one screw retaining throat and there are two light bends 6-8″ above drag. The certifiable antique elephant ivory grip has several chips at pommel and one near bifurcated flange on right side about 1/2″ by 1/4″. The orig mahogany veneered case is very good to fine overall, with normal nicks, scratches and other minor blemishes to surface associated with 200 years. Interior of box is very good retaining good nap & color to the green felt lining. Richard Teed’s vellum label in case is stained as can be seen in photos otherwise sound and easily discerned. 4-55553 JS (125,000-150,000) – Lot 1375 \| Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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RARE AND HISTORIC 100 GUINEA LLOYD’S PRESENTATION SWORD FOR HERO OF BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR.