Royal Naval Interest An Historic Swordstick. Formerly belonging to Admiral H W Baynton, the 65cm blade wire bound grip and backstrap being formed from his 1805 pattern Flag Rank sword. The blade retains some of the etching including the crowned ‘GR’ cypher and the crowned Royal Arms. The 71cm wooden casing has an ingenious spring based locking device, a silver top ferrule is engraved, ‘Adml. H.W.Baynton’, brass ferrule at the bottom, very good condition for its age £800-£1,000

Henry William Baynton born 1766 and joining the Navy as a boy, being promoted in 1783 to Lieutenant aged 16. Subsequently in the West Indies he was ashore at the capture of Martinique and Guadeloupe and later Trinidad. Various ship actions resulted in his promotion from Commander to Captain in four months. While in command of the Cumberland (74) off San Domingo in 1803 he took the French frigate Creole (40) and four other vessels. He was given command of the Leviathan (74) in 1804. For his actions at Trafalgar he received a gold medal, a Lloyds Patriotic Fund sword and the Thanks of Parliament. He carried the guidon on Nelson’s funeral barge. Promoted to Vice-Admiral in 1821, he became an Admiral in 1839 and died at Bath in 1840.

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