Capt D Fitzgerald Longworth 31st regt Foot Sobraon 1846

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Jul 27, 2019 6:22 pm

Captain David Fitzgerald Longworth was promoted to Maj. for gallantry leading the 31st Regt of Foot at the Battle of Sobraon.
The sword is a pre numbered Wilkinson. 32 3/8 inch blade, 1 1/8 inch wide at ricasso. His family crest on blade: The Talbot Dog, Fidelity and Intrepidity and Motto by Virtue and Valor."
The 31st Regts field officers were either wounded or dead so it fell to Longworth to lead the regt in this famous battle.
His will stated that he had two swords, his other sword is unknown to me. A goal is to find his portrait listed in his effects.

"This is the last Will and Testament of me David Fitzgerald Longworth late a Major in Her Majesty’s Thirty First Regiment, and now residing at 82 Ovington Terrace, Brompton in the County of Middlesex
I give my gold watch and chain to Margaret Jane Famoet1 wife of Mr John Famoet of Lisle Street Greenock engineer and I give my framed Portrait of myself and my Afghanistan2 and Sutledge 3 Medals my two swords my uniforms my Portmanteau marked number three with all it contains at the time of my death to my cousin Francis Longworth Colonial Secretary at Charlottes Town Prince Edward Island America"

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Jul 27, 2019 6:38 pm

Some history:

Bryce · Post by **Bryce** » Sun Jul 28, 2019 10:39 pm

Nice sword Will. I like these early Wilkinsons. Do you think it dates from the period 1846-50? When did Wilkinsons start putting their name on the ricasso rather than the blade?
Cheers,
Bryce

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Jul 29, 2019 2:07 am

DF Longworth was brevet major in 10 June 1846 so his sword dates to this time with field officers brass scabbard. I have an 1855 CG wilkinson with company name on the blade but it is a Toledo pattern without ricasso.
It would be good to find examples that prove when Wilkinsons began marking on the ricasso.

Bryce · Post by **Bryce** » Tue Sep 24, 2019 10:37 pm

G'day Will,
I have come across two good dated examples on the web. One dated 1850 with the Wilkinsons logo on the blade and one dated 1852 with the logo on the ricasso. The changeover must have happened around 1851/52.
Cheers,
Bryce

Will · Post by **Will** » Wed Sep 25, 2019 5:52 am

Hello Bryce do you have links to the swords?

Bryce · Post by **Bryce** » Wed Sep 25, 2019 11:13 pm

G'day Will,

The 1852 dated sword is Jordan's "James Hope Grant's" sword.

http://www.swordforum.com/vb4/showthrea ... Hope-Grant

I haven't been able to find the 1850 sword again. I will keep looking.
Cheers,

Bryce

Bryce · Post by **Bryce** » Mon Sep 30, 2019 5:14 am

G'day Will,
I have found an 1850 dated sword with the Wilkinson's logo on the ricasso. The changeover must have occurred prior to 1850.
Cheers,
Bryce
http://www.swordforum.com/vb4/showthrea ... Wilkinsons

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Capt D Fitzgerald Longworth 31st regt Foot Sobraon 1846

Capt D Fitzgerald Longworth 31st regt Foot Sobraon 1846

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Re: Capt D Fitzgerald Longworth 31st regt Foot Sobraon 1846

Re: Capt D Fitzgerald Longworth 31st regt Foot Sobraon 1846

Re: Capt D Fitzgerald Longworth 31st regt Foot Sobraon 1846

Re: Capt D Fitzgerald Longworth 31st regt Foot Sobraon 1846

Re: Capt D Fitzgerald Longworth 31st regt Foot Sobraon 1846

Re: Capt D Fitzgerald Longworth 31st regt Foot Sobraon 1846