Lot 34 , A fine George III silver gilt mounted presentation sword by Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, length 35in.
A fine George III silver gilt mounted presentation sword by Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, the blade inscribed "St Sebastian taken by storm XXX1st August MDCCCXIII, to one side and to "Lieut. Colonel Snodgrass. This sabre is presented by his townsmen of Paisley joined by several noblemen and gentlemen in its vicinity is an expression of high esteem for his character and admiration of his distinguished services in the course of his country and her allies. Paisley MDCCCXII" to the other side, London 1813, together with an illuminated proclamation, with seals, boxed, to Kenneth Snodgrass (c.1830) length 35in.
Estimate £10,000-15,000
See lot 635 for the medal awarded to Captain Snodgrass.
The following obituary was originally published in the Illustrated Sydney News,10th December 1853 page. 5
Snodgrass, Kenneth (1784-1853)
The late Colonel Snodgrass was born in the west of Scotland about the year 1784. The Colonel was the eldest son of a Doctor of Divinity of the Church of Scotland, and his mother was the sister of Sir K. Douglass, Baronet. At an early age he entered the army, and distinguished himself as an officer of the 52nd Regiment. His excellent military qualities soon attracted the General in command, and he was on various occasions selected as leader of extraordinary attacks on the French during the war in Spain, and for many years was entrusted with the sole command of Portuguese battalions. In the "Exploits of Wellington," "Maxwell's Life of Wellington," and the "Subaltern," this distinguished officer's courage as victoriously leading the "forlorn hope" at St. Sebastian, is particularly narrated. On that occasion the Colonel, then only a Major, lost 200 men, before he reached the bastions of the fortress. The citadel was taken by Snodgrass and four hundred British soldiers, the French fighting hand to hand. For this act he was presented with a magnificent gold sword and medal. The Colonel was twice wounded, as a recompense for which he enjoyed a considerable pension until his death. When Sir .T. Franklin left Van Diemen's Land, he administered the civil government of that island, and afterwards that of New South Wales, between the departure of Sir Richard Bourke, and the arrival of Sir G. Gipps. His venerable mother only died about a year ago, aged 90; his brother, the late Lieut. Colonel Snodgrass, formerly aide-de-camp to Sir Archibald Campbell, the conqueror of Burmah in 1825, died several years ago. The late Colonel Snodgrass has left two married daughters and several sons, one a major in the 96th regiment in India. He was no less distinguished for his social qualities, his unbounded hospitality, and goodness of heart, than for his military acquirements. He was well known in the colony as Commander of the Forces and originator of the Mounted Police during the desperate bushranging period. The Colonel died on the banks of the Hunter, of gout in the stomach, in October, 1853.
The gilding to the silver scabbard is largely intact with slight wear to the raised medallions and lion head pommel. The silver gilt sleeve of the scabbard is slightly bent out of shape around the inset fish skin panels with a solder repair to a split running across the concave of the scabbard from the bottom inset cartouche on each side. There is wear to the gilding at the top of the scabbard next to the engraved 'Rundell Bridge and Rundell London' lettering, where the rain guard has rubbed. The scabbard and handle are separately hallmarked and the guard bears the maker's mark 'TP'. The sword is quite stiff to remove and put back in its scabbard. The blade has some light patches of corrosion to both sides top and bottom, but the etched inscriptions can be clearly seen and the gilding is intact.
together with an illuminated proclamation, with seals, boxed, to Kenneth Snodgrass is in fact for his award of the Companion of the Order of the Bath. The scrolled parchment is in good condition but the case is worn, leather chipped and the cover is detached.
Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Gorringes Conditions of Sale.
Sold for £10,000