Light cavalry-type sword, which is thought to have been worn by Captain John Cooke (1763-1805) at the Battle of Trafalgar, where he was killed aboard HMS ‘Bellerophon'. The gilt stirrup guarded hilt is decorated with embossed langets. The sword has a plain rounded gilt pommel and back-piece. The white ivory grip is diamond knurled. The blade is very curved, flat backed with three deep fullers, two of which continue to within 102mm of the double-edged point. The undecorated blade is made from steel. The black leather scabbard is decorated with a diamond tooled pattern. The scabbard has two gilt lockets with rings and chape, with a stud on the obverse of top locket for a frog suspension. Inscribed on the reverse of the top locket in an oval are the words 'Tatham To His Majesty - No 37 Charing Cross, Near The Admiralty'.

In Edward Fraser's book ‘Bellerophon’ (published by Wells Gardner in 1909), the illustration of Captain Cooke's sword is similar to this sword as regards to the blade and hilt but this example has no sword knot and the ornamentation of lockets and chape is dissimilar. Captain Cooke entered the Navy in 1776. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1779, became a Commander in 1793 and a Captain in 1794. Cooke served with Lord Howe on 1st June 1794 and was in command of the 'Nymphe' at the mutiny at the Nore in 1797. He was killed during the Battle of Trafalgar when in the act of reloading his pistols (see AAA2464). See also WPN1059 for Captain Cooke's dirk, MED0156 for his Trafalgar Medal and BHC2629 for a portrait.