Original British Royal Navy Cased Presentation Silver Pocket Watch with Full Inscription to Capt. Robert Faulknor R.N. – dated 1794 Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. This silver cased watch comes with its outer AND inner covers both of Sterling Silver. The outer cover has some paper inside to protect the back of the watch, and under this are hallmarks which show the “Lion” Sterling Standard Mark, the “Crowned Leopard’s Head” for London, and a letter “H”, for 1803 production. There is also a maker mark of T G for Thomas Goslee of London, who registered his mark in 1790. Most likely the watch was kept as a memento by the family, as Robert part of the Faulknor Naval Dynasty, and often referred to as “Robert Faulknor the Younger”. The case would help protect it, and it was possibly carried by one of his relatives during their own naval careers. Definitely some great research potential here!

On the rear of the Inner Case it is fully engraved as follows:-

→ Presented to ←
Capt. Rob’t Faulknor
In recognition of
his courage at
FORT ST. LOUIS,. MARTINIQUE
From his
fellow Officers
H.M.S. ZEBRA
1794

Graduating from the British Naval Academy, ROBERT FAULKNOR joined HMS ISIS in 1777 in the North American Campaign, and began a glittering Naval career. In June of 1793 he received command of HMS ZEBRA, an18 gun Sloop. On March 20th 1794 HMS ZEBRA together with HMS ASIA attacked FORT LOUIS on MARTINIQUE. HMS ASIA could not make landfall so FAULKNOR and 100 ratings attacked FORT ST. LOUIS alone, with his Landing Party carrying just Cutlasses and Pikes.

The garrison fled seeing the oncoming British Sailors so armed and FAULKNOR forced the Fort’s Governor to surrender, along with the French War Frigate “BIENVENUE”, then laying in the Fort’s Harbor. This was witnessed by Admiral of the Fleet JERVIS aboard HMS BOYNE. As the ZEBRA passed the other British War ships now arrived JERVIS ordered the bands to play “SEE, THE CONQU’RING HERO COMES!”, a MASSIVE honor.

ADMIRAL JERVIS then, amid the cheering of all the British sailors, ordered FAULKNOR aboard his flagship and immediately promoted him to full LINE CAPTAIN and gave him the captured French Frigate BIENVENUE as his new Command. The ship was rechristened to be HMS DAUNTLESS.

In December 1794 CAPTAIN FAULKNOR, now aboard HMS BLANCHE was killed by a French Musket shot to the heart while capturing the French Man-o-War “PIQUE” He was just 32 years old. Look up CAPTAIN ROBERT FAULKNOR on Wikipedia for more information.

This lovely watch comes with its outer silver cover and silver watch chain and winding key. It still appears to be partially functional, however it most certainly needs servicing as it does not keep good time at all, and the “ticking” is a bit uneven. It is sold for its historical value, and not as a functional time piece. 

A LOVELY ORIGINAL OFFERING from an old Naval Collection in England.