Product Details
AN 1804 PATTERN BRITISH NAVAL CUTLASS
early 19th century, with 29in single-edged spearpoint blade, black painted iron 'figure eight' handguard deeply stamped with the 'broad arrow' mark flanked by the letters 'BO', cast ribbed hilt (blade with discolouration, some loss of paint to hilt, small patches of corrosion)
Provenance: This item, and all lots inclusive to lot 344, formed part of a private collection amassed by the vendor's father. She has kindly informed us of the following:
"My father Mr William Dennis Bowyer, started his weapon collection at the age of 13 years old. His first item that he bought was a small knife for 2 shillings and sixpence. That started his love and interest for the rest of his life, and when he sadly passed away at the age of 82 his collection was well over 500 items. This included guns, swords, pistols, different items from the war and many weapons from when he spent his time in India in the army.
I grew up with a room at my house which was devoted to this - it was not strange to me to have the walls covered with different weapons and tables also covered with them. My friends found it all fascinating and my father loved to tell them all about them and where they were from, and who used them .
This, as well as being the family business, lead him to become an auctioneer and estate agent in Enfield Town, Middlesex. He loved the auction side of things.
The auction rooms were started in1850 by his Great Uncle Alfred Bowyer. His father then took over in 1920.
My father went into partnership after the second world war until he retired in 1994.
The Bowyer name is still very well known in Enfield and I am very proud to be a part of it.
I will always have very happy memories of all my father's stories about his collection and I hope that a lot of people for many years to come will continue to get pleasure from his collection."
Estimate £300-500