Original item: One Only. This is a really nice Malacca cane sword stick complete with a lovely 29 1/2″ blade which is engraved and has been in places blued in the fullers on either side. The body of the Sword Stick is MALACCA cane with a brass ferrule on top, decorated and engraved:
TO ROBERT PEEL M.P. FROM A.WELLESLEY, 1809
The hilt is topped with an carved antler handle and decorative embossed copper sleeve where cane meets antler. Unfortunately however one section of the sleeve, about 3/4″, is now missing. The MALACCA cane body itself has several several splits and cracks from it over 200 years of age but all appears present. A real quality item ideal as a gift between gentlemen.
ROBERT PEEL entered Parliament in 1809 and was then sponsored/mentored by another sitting M.P., ARTHUR WELLESLEY, an Officer in the Indian Army. Wellesley was about to lead Britain into the Peninsula Campaign against Napoleon in Portugal and Spain, and then went on as Commander in Chief to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Subsequently he was awarded the title “THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON” for his victories.
ROBERT PEEL had a splendid political career and even became Prime Minister under Queen Victoria, however he is best remembered for creating the British Police Force, hence the old nickname for Police Officers in the 19th Century was “Peelers,” and today we know them as “Bobbies”.
A great historical item, a gift from the Sponsor to his Protégé, both of whom went on to make great contributions to the empire.