Capt. James Muirhead's Sword and Scabbard

Description

Commanditaires

This item is a part of the 1812 History digitization project. This project was made possible with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canadian Culture Online Strategy.

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Object

Description

This sword belonged to Capt. James Muirhead during the War of 1812-1814. The hilt of the sword is made of brass with a sharkskin grip and a lion’s head pommel. The guard of the hilt is also made up of the royal cipher “GR” and a part that has a light infantry horn imprinted. The blade is made of steel and is embossed with decorations, which include the Royal cipher, “GR III”, the Hanoverian crown and also a Garter containing the motton of the Royal family. The motto is “Honi soit qui mal y pense” which is translated to “shame on him who thinks ill of it”. On the side of the blade is the inscription “J.J. Runken Solingen”. It is believed that the blade may have been made by J.J. Runkel, Solingen, Germany. The corresponding belt is missing.

This scabbard is a light infantry officer’s leather scabbard with brass mounts. At the bass of the scabbard, on a brass mount, there is an inscription, which states “Mallet Late Kinubley, 7 Charing Cross,London”.

James Muirhead arrived in Canada from Scotland about 1790 as a Surgeon's Mate in the 60th Regt. In civil life, he was a Doctor at Niagara and Chairman of the Quarter Sessions of the District. He was appointed Surgeon to the Militia on the outbreak of the war; taken by the enemy and transported to Greenbush, New York in the summer of 1813; released Dec. 8, 1813. Received War damage award of L905. P.R. Grant in Garrafraxa. Appointed Surgeon General of Militia in 1822. Died at Niagara March 24, 1834 at 69 years.

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