Solid half-basket hilted sword. Owned by Admiral R.A. Oliver (1811-1889). The hilt consists of a gilt solid half basket guard with raised bars and a crown and anchor badge. There is a lion's-head pommel and back-piece, the mane extending one-third of the length of the back-piece. The white fish-skin grip is bound with three gilt wires. There is no folding flap. The slightly curved blade is pipe-backed, ending in a double-edged spear point. The blade has been fitted to the hilt without a shoulder as customary and it emerges straight from the hilt. There is a black leather scabbard, with two gilt lockets with rings and a chape. The sword knot is of blue and gold rope with a blue and gold vellum basket work head and twelve gold bullions. Inscribed in the centre of the obverse of the blade are the Royal arms, above the Oliver coat of arms. The reverse is inscribed with 'Prosser, London, Maker to the King' and a crown and foul anchor. Richard Aldworth Oliver entered the Royal Navy in 1825 and retired as an Admiral 27 Oct 1884 (retired list).