1827 Pattern Royal Navy Officer's Pipe-Back Sword, believed to have been the property of and attributed to Lieutenant Charles Gray Rigge, Royal Navy. An early example, with pipe back single edged 79cm blade, tarnished and area of rusting to both sides, having 35cm curved double-edged 'spear' point, with etched decoration including Royal Cypher to one side, King's Crown, fouled anchor and maker's mark for J. Hopkins of Chatham to the other, plain hinged rear guard and loop fitting, guard with Crowned fouled anchor, large lion head top pommel, six-ring, wire bound shagreen grip, housed in leather and brass mounted scabbard with two ring belt loops attached to the top mount, overall 97cm. Sold together with two oval 40cm x 48cm glazed and ornately decorated golden wooden framed paintings, annotated J. Mudd & Son, thought to be oil on opaque background, of Charles Gray Rigge, Captain RN in uniform with sword and wearing two medals, thought to be the Naval General Service Medal with St. Jean D'Acre Medal and his wife, the rear of each with James Mudd & Son of Manchester labels.(3) Please Note: Buyer must be aged over 18 and proof of identity required, thank you.
These items directly from family descendent, the sword thought to be that as worn by Captain Rigge in the accompanying painting.
PLEASE NOTE: Sadly, following an accident that occured today, 2nd June, the portrait paining on glass of Captain Rigge was severely damaged and is now in several pieces. Please see photos added. However, all of the pieces of the portrait remain together and it may be possible for the purchaser to reconstruct and reframe them in some way.
From online sources - RIGGE. (Lieutenant, 1838.)
Charles Gray Rigge is second son of Gray Rigge, Esq., of Wood Broughton House, co. Lancaster, an Acting-Magistrate for Lancashire and the North Riding of co. York, by Sarah, eldest daughter of Edw. Moore, Esq., of Stockwell, and niece of Peter Moore, Esq., Member in several Parliaments for the city of Coventry.
This officer entered the Navy 22 Sept. 1825; passed his examination in 1831; and obtained his commission 28 June, 1838. His appointments have since been - 4 Jan. 1839, to the Zebra 16, Capt. Jas. John Stopford, in the Mediterranean - 17 Sept. 1841, after a few months of half-pay, to the Devastation steamer, Capts. Hastings Reginald Henry, Hon. Swynfen Thos. Carnegie, and Wm. Hewgill Kitchen, with whom he served on the same station until the close of 1845, the greater part of the time as First-Lieutenant - and 29 June, 1846, and 25 Oct. 1847, to the command of the Trident and Comet steam-vessels of 350 and 80-horse power, the former in the Mediterranean, the latter on particular service.