Mameluke-hilted presentation sword given to Lieutenant-Colonel (later General Sir) Frederick Maude VC, 1857

Manufactured by Landon, Morland and Landon, London, 1857 (c). Ivory grips.

Maude (1821-1897) commanded the 3rd (The East Kent) Regiment of Foot (The Buffs) in the assault on the Redan on 8 September 1855. When the storming parties broke into the fortification, he and a small party penetrated the farthest, taking up an advanced position down the left side of the Redan. Only when dangerously wounded and all hope of support had receded did he retire. On its institution Maude was awarded the Victoria Cross ('London Gazette', 24 February 1857). He later became a general, serving in India before retiring in 1885.

Although Maude was born in Armagh, his father was Rector of Enniskillen from 1825 to 1860. On his return to Britain, and following his promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel, he was presented with this sword by the town of Enniskillen. Such swords were often presented by towns to famous sons and were usually supplied by military tailors or sometimes jewellers. The Mameluke hilt and curved blade was a favourite style for presentation swords.