Present arms for an £11,000 result

Among the highlights of Antony Cribb’s Spring Virtual Arms and Armour sale was a collection of presentation swords.

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | ATG Reporter

The top lot among this group was a William IV sword given to a William Bird Brodie (1780-1863). Brodie was a banker, bookseller, stationer and a Whig MP for Salisbury between 1832-43.

A former officer in the Wiltshire Militia, he was appointed Lt-Col of the Salisbury Volunteer Infantry, a unit formed in the wake of the riots which affected the city in November 1830.

A William IV presentation sword with fine gilt classical stirrup hilt decorated with acanthus scrolls, acorns and oak leaves, contained in an engraved gilt scabbard with a ‘WIVR’ cypher – £11,000 at Antony Cribb.

The sword was given by the officers and privates under his command as a token of their respect in August 1851.

Estimated at £6000-8000, it sold at £11,000 (plus 22% buyer’s premium) at the Cribb online-only sale on April 7.