NAM.2011-05-1-1

Russian Hussars officer’s sword carried by Dep Asst QMG John Alexander Ewart, 93rd Highlanders, during the Crimean War (1854-1856). Three bar hilt sword with etched decoration on the blade. Metal scabbard with two suspension rings. Slightly curved blade, copper alloy guard, grip possibly made of horn and twisted wire. No markings on the sword. Ewart used this sword as a substitute to the claymore that he had lost during the Battle of the Alma. They came across this on the flank march after the Alma to Sevastopol as they came across some Russian baggage carts that had belonged to Russian Hussar officers. It was given to him on his appointment to Gen Airey’s Staff. He would probably have carried this sword through the rest of his Crimean service, including the Battles of Balaklava and Inkerman.

Alma, Battle of the, 1854 (Crimean War 1854-1856), Balaklava, Battle of, 1854 (Crimean War, Inkerman, Battle of, 1854 (Crimean War 1854-1856)