In the Victorian era, would an ADC to Her Majesty have had responsibilities that included guarding her person? I am sure your theory of the sword having been service sharpened by an heir on service at a later date is more likely, but the little boy in me who grew up reading Edgar Rice Burrows wants to imagine Napier guarding the Queen from wild eyed, bushy haired anarchists.
Anarchists = sane people who didn't want to be ruled by backwards, fundamentalist zealot ruler with bad education who okayed untold amounts of evil and atrocities, and promoted rotten, stone age societal standards responsible for misery and death of millions of women and gay people. She just had good propaganda department...
@@KuK137 One of the hopeful assassins was William Hamilton, who had left Ireland during the Great Famine, so had good reason to hate the political system of Britain.
There's not a lot of information but Ancestry . com states George Thomas Connolly Napier who passed in 1873 only had a single child, a daughter by the name of Maria Aletta Napier (later known as Maria Aletta Bell after her marriage). Due to this apparent lack of a son combined with the Napier families military lineage, I find it likely that ADC Napier was simply just in the habit of keeping his sword properly sharpened.
I have a 10th Hussars Mameluke sword (so I believe it's the Levee-dress sword for Hussars officers) with a flat solid blade. It's so odd compared to every other Victorian sword I own, I actually surmised it was unfinished! Glad you covered this topic today & I learned about both that, as well as Napier's sword.
Hi Matt, according to thepeerage website George Thomas Conolly Napier had a daughter named Maria Aletta Napier. George also had a nephew Major Charles James Napier, the sword may have been carried down to him. Some info on Charles. Born on 2 August 1858. Son of General William Craig Emilius Napier and Emily Cephalonia Napier. Married Ellen Frederica Thompson, daughter of Frederick Thompson, in 1887. Died on 12 June 1938 at age 79. Major in the service of the East Surrey Regiment. Major in the service of the 3rd Battalion, Cameronians. Decorated with the award of the Legion of Honour. Hope that helps.
The connection to known persons always enhances an artifact of any age, I believe! Yes, surely this would be “a keeper.” I hope that you post an update if you learn more! Great job!
Couple thoughts on the flat solid. First could flat solid have been chosen to allow for more elaborate engraving? Second my subjective impression is that many migration era swords are fullered. If fullering reduces cutting capacity perhaps the fullering was an adaptation for the less consistent and lower quality steels of the time.
That is a beautiful sword, and I see you're back to some of the old innuendo, Easton, you devil! (I'm Canadian, but pretend I said that in a properly upper class English accent, okay?)
Strange request but I would really love to see you perhaps dive into American swords. The United States throughout it's history and present is of course mostly known for well...guns, but a lot of people don't often consider that as well as muskets, rifles and cannons there was heavy utilization of polearms and swords up until world war 1. (Apparently halberds were used in the Texas war of independence) I realize you may not be the foremost expert on the subject but it would still be a neat topic to touch on.
Could the narrowing of swords be related to the prevalence of double action cartridge revolvers making the sword less important for self defense? I'd think as swords were used less they'd tend to become lighter.
With that title I immediately was imagining about Sir Sword who met the queen. 💂I hereby present Sir Sword esquire. 👸Sir Sword, so nice to make your acquaintance. Thank you for your service. 🗡 It's my honor, your majesty.
One of my ancestors cancelled an audience with Queen Victoria because his friend, who had also been invited, was refused entry because he was not wearing a dress sword. What's odd is that his friend was a doctor.
Would a soldier of that age actually train with the blade outside of what would be considered ceremonial use? By ceremonial I'm referring to the way the blades are presented and displayed during parades and such. By training I'm referring to what we today would refer to as HEMA, which might have had a different name in that age.
I would imagine a man that pays the extra money for a non-standard blade on his uniform sword would also want it to be sharp. If he just wanted a decorative sword he wouldn't have upgraded the blade.
I can see a contemporary high-rank police or military officer doing only bureaucratic work, but still wanting to carry a proper sidearm while on duty... The same might be happening here
That's one nice looking sowrd, I wouldn't mind owning a replica of one. On the subject of old British Army swords, you should do a review of the dyel in the final part of the Kignsman movie, where Ralph Fiennes duels the big bad of the movie. Ralph Fiennes' character wields an Army officer's sword (I forget what they said it was, something Regina as I recall) and the villlain (called The Shepherd) used what looked to a backsowrd. I'd love to see your take on the duel as well as the swords used.
Very informative 😊 I guess if a person would like to buy a sword from you then Would they need the proper license and legitimate historical information on the sword for legal reasons for being able to transport it from one country to another ?
Even in war, most swords were probably never wielded in close combat, but they had to be prepared for use as you might be one of the (un)lucky few who came face to face with the enemy. Outside of war, the likelihood of a sudden occasion for use was slim.
MATT ATTENTION: I own a replica by Windlass made in the mid to late 90s. It's a British pattern from sometime in the 1800s IIRC it looks a lot like a 1827 pattern BUT instead of a creat of some sort in the guard it has a "Indian Star" (6 points: 2 horizontal, 2 up & 2 down) it sold through the Atlanta Cutlery catalogue, has a steel hilt & a fullered blade. The catalog said it was a British pattern but issued to some Indian regiment although I don't have the catalogue so that's all I recall. Any idea if a sword like that actually was issued in period or is the replica purely a Windlass invention?
I'm very distantly related to the Napiers. (I'm this generation's family historian) And I'm a bit of a Victorian fanatic... If I had a small fortune, I'd pay it for that blade. Unfortunately, I do not.
If you were directly quoting a contemporary historical document it might be acceptable to use "Kaffir" but you should know that it is a racial slur of the most extreme kind in some areas of the world. In South Africa, its use as an insult against another person is legally actionable. The British were fighting the Xhosa Kingdom and that might be a better identification of the wars. You just insulted the entire Xhosa Kingdom by repeating a recent recap.
I understand the sentiment, but that is what the wars are called in all the historical documents, and the medals associated with them. I am directly quoting.
@@pattheplanter A direct quotation is a direct quotation. It does not mean that the person quoting it agrees with the sentiment, only that as soon as you start paraphrasing and correcting the language, there is a danger of part of the meaning becoming obscured. Also, most historical books from 1993 are likely to contain quotes or extracts from authentic period documents.
That's one LUCKY sword...! 👍 ...to be in the presence of Matt Easton, himself.
I don't think it is impossible it is simply the character of the owner that kept it sharpened.
That is possible and I have had one other sword that was very extensively service sharpened, and the officer never went on campaign.
In the Victorian era, would an ADC to Her Majesty have had responsibilities that included guarding her person? I am sure your theory of the sword having been service sharpened by an heir on service at a later date is more likely, but the little boy in me who grew up reading Edgar Rice Burrows wants to imagine Napier guarding the Queen from wild eyed, bushy haired anarchists.
There were eight assassination attempts on Queen Victoria between 1840 and 1882.
Anarchists = sane people who didn't want to be ruled by backwards, fundamentalist zealot ruler with bad education who okayed untold amounts of evil and atrocities, and promoted rotten, stone age societal standards responsible for misery and death of millions of women and gay people. She just had good propaganda department...
@@KuK137 One of the hopeful assassins was William Hamilton, who had left Ireland during the Great Famine, so had good reason to hate the political system of Britain.
There's not a lot of information but Ancestry . com states George Thomas Connolly Napier who passed in 1873 only had a single child, a daughter by the name of Maria Aletta Napier (later known as Maria Aletta Bell after her marriage). Due to this apparent lack of a son combined with the Napier families military lineage, I find it likely that ADC Napier was simply just in the habit of keeping his sword properly sharpened.
I have a 10th Hussars Mameluke sword (so I believe it's the Levee-dress sword for Hussars officers) with a flat solid blade. It's so odd compared to every other Victorian sword I own, I actually surmised it was unfinished! Glad you covered this topic today & I learned about both that, as well as Napier's sword.
This is such an interesting video and sword! That is certainly a special item! Also, love that Cobra Kai shirt you have sir!!
Service in the Cape Mounted Rifles -very interesting, all his service in South Africa. Thanks Matt.
Beautiful Piece.
Hi Matt, according to thepeerage website George Thomas Conolly Napier had a daughter named Maria Aletta Napier.
George also had a nephew Major Charles James Napier, the sword may have been carried down to him.
Some info on Charles.
Born on 2 August 1858.
Son of General William Craig Emilius Napier and Emily Cephalonia Napier.
Married Ellen Frederica Thompson, daughter of Frederick Thompson, in 1887.
Died on 12 June 1938 at age 79.
Major in the service of the East Surrey Regiment.
Major in the service of the 3rd Battalion, Cameronians.
Decorated with the award of the Legion of Honour.
Hope that helps.
A great piece of history👍🏻 hope you keep this for a long time
Really beautiful sword with very interesting history
The last time I was this early, I didn’t know the importance of context
Hahahaha
The connection to known persons always enhances an artifact of any age, I believe! Yes, surely this would be “a keeper.” I hope that you post an update if you learn more! Great job!
I knew you were going to keep it hahaha! that's such a relic for a victorian era collector innit?
Very cool, I'd want to keep that one in a connection too!
"in the hands it feels dreamy" said somebody about a historic sword... :)
Matt thank you so much for bringing these pieces of history to us!
Couple thoughts on the flat solid. First could flat solid have been chosen to allow for more elaborate engraving?
Second my subjective impression is that many migration era swords are fullered. If fullering reduces cutting capacity perhaps the fullering was an adaptation for the less consistent and lower quality steels of the time.
Waiting for the camera to focus on a closeup, all I can hear anymore is AVE's "Focus, you f**k!"
Possibly sharpened because he was close to the queen and have a duty to protect?
That is a beautiful sword, and I see you're back to some of the old innuendo, Easton, you devil!
(I'm Canadian, but pretend I said that in a properly upper class English accent, okay?)
Strange request but I would really love to see you perhaps dive into American swords. The United States throughout it's history and present is of course mostly known for well...guns, but a lot of people don't often consider that as well as muskets, rifles and cannons there was heavy utilization of polearms and swords up until world war 1. (Apparently halberds were used in the Texas war of independence) I realize you may not be the foremost expert on the subject but it would still be a neat topic to touch on.
In the presence of royalty!
Could the narrowing of swords be related to the prevalence of double action cartridge revolvers making the sword less important for self defense? I'd think as swords were used less they'd tend to become lighter.
I'd love to purchase that sword. Just a hunch though, it may be out of my price range.
Victoria also had an awesome pair of Indian clubs, they were recently on display.
Smutty euphemism? LOL
With that title I immediately was imagining about Sir Sword who met the queen.
💂I hereby present Sir Sword esquire.
👸Sir Sword, so nice to make your acquaintance. Thank you for your service.
🗡 It's my honor, your majesty.
Impressive Matt.
Great piece.
One of my ancestors cancelled an audience with Queen Victoria because his friend, who had also been invited, was refused entry because he was not wearing a dress sword. What's odd is that his friend was a doctor.
Ahh, Adm. Sir Charles Napier and that Glorious raid up the Potomac in 1812!
Question that arose from watching this video; Do you come across forgeries as an antique sword dealer?
Would a soldier of that age actually train with the blade outside of what would be considered ceremonial use?
By ceremonial I'm referring to the way the blades are presented and displayed during parades and such.
By training I'm referring to what we today would refer to as HEMA, which might have had a different name in that age.
How bright would the brass be when with the Queen.
I would imagine a man that pays the extra money for a non-standard blade on his uniform sword would also want it to be sharp. If he just wanted a decorative sword he wouldn't have upgraded the blade.
Are One inch blades particularly unusual and is that whet people mean when they say a "medium weight" sword?
I can see a contemporary high-rank police or military officer doing only bureaucratic work, but still wanting to carry a proper sidearm while on duty... The same might be happening here
How many swords are in your calecshin?
Very interesting ! Is it possible to do a Video about "Percy" type blade and the early thrust centric blades used by officers in the Crimea.
Did she enchant it with +10 fire damage?
The sword was sharpened because the general was a true warrior. His weapons where serviceable and ready to use at all times.
I like the brass on this sword
I really like your videos I have a question if I may ? What is the hook for on the backside of the hilt ?
protecting your wrist
Personally if I have a blade… I want it sharp. I could never understand why a sword was carried blunt & then needing sharpened before battle use.
That's one nice looking sowrd, I wouldn't mind owning a replica of one.
On the subject of old British Army swords, you should do a review of the dyel in the final part of the Kignsman movie, where Ralph Fiennes duels the big bad of the movie. Ralph Fiennes' character wields an Army officer's sword (I forget what they said it was, something Regina as I recall) and the villlain (called The Shepherd) used what looked to a backsowrd. I'd love to see your take on the duel as well as the swords used.
Very informative 😊 I guess if a person would like to buy a sword from you then Would they need the proper license and legitimate historical information on the sword for legal reasons for being able to transport it from one country to another ?
What country do you live in? A license for a sword?
@@johnspettell1853 the Republic of Ireland 🇮🇪
Why would anyone carry a sword that wasn't sharp enough to use in self-defense if necessary?
Because unless at war, swords were not generally used in self defence at this time. Think of modern Marines on parade.
Even in war, most swords were probably never wielded in close combat, but they had to be prepared for use as you might be one of the (un)lucky few who came face to face with the enemy. Outside of war, the likelihood of a sudden occasion for use was slim.
MATT ATTENTION:
I own a replica by Windlass made in the mid to late 90s. It's a British pattern from sometime in the 1800s IIRC it looks a lot like a 1827 pattern BUT instead of a creat of some sort in the guard it has a "Indian Star" (6 points: 2 horizontal, 2 up & 2 down) it sold through the Atlanta Cutlery catalogue, has a steel hilt & a fullered blade. The catalog said it was a British pattern but issued to some Indian regiment although I don't have the catalogue so that's all I recall.
Any idea if a sword like that actually was issued in period or is the replica purely a Windlass invention?
I don't care what kind of sword this is. Let it be known as Napier's rapier.
I'm very distantly related to the Napiers. (I'm this generation's family historian)
And I'm a bit of a Victorian fanatic...
If I had a small fortune, I'd pay it for that blade.
Unfortunately, I do not.
Also, I believe I'm wearing the same plaid shirt.
Who'd want a brevet rank? Higher status, but no higher pay.
It was a step to promotion - showing that you could work at a higher grade successfully.
@@scholagladiatoria Ah, that makes sense. Cheers for explaining it. PS. Lovely sword, I'm just a little bit jealous.
Sharpened to speed up the bureaucratic paperwork, in the halls of government !
Gratz on your more-common-rare blade! Kinda looks like a sword to me.
Ah the Famine Queen, never less than well fed herself.
A blade that was in the presence of Queen Victoria? Shame it never tasted her blood.
i guess the family sold it? i bet it costs 6k American?
Interesting lore
She'd rather be eating mangosteen.
Heads up it's called the Xhosa Wars now, you just said the south African n-word a whole bunch.
... which was in the presence of Queen Victoria. (Unbuckles pants...)
The opium head?
If you were directly quoting a contemporary historical document it might be acceptable to use "Kaffir" but you should know that it is a racial slur of the most extreme kind in some areas of the world. In South Africa, its use as an insult against another person is legally actionable. The British were fighting the Xhosa Kingdom and that might be a better identification of the wars. You just insulted the entire Xhosa Kingdom by repeating a recent recap.
I understand the sentiment, but that is what the wars are called in all the historical documents, and the medals associated with them. I am directly quoting.
@@scholagladiatoria You said the description was from 1993.
@@pattheplanter A direct quotation is a direct quotation. It does not mean that the person quoting it agrees with the sentiment, only that as soon as you start paraphrasing and correcting the language, there is a danger of part of the meaning becoming obscured. Also, most historical books from 1993 are likely to contain quotes or extracts from authentic period documents.
Looks good. Btw here I got some quotes about Slavs vs Roman Empire and some other peoples - watch?v=r0jLMDvsU4U