The Massie Collection of Medals to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Waterloo 1815 (Lieut. Alex. Sword, 1st Batt. 91st Reg. Foot) fitted with an unusual silver ball and heavy silver bar suspension, some edge bruising and contact wear, otherwise nearly very fine £1400-1800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Massie Collection of Medals to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

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Sold with an old news article on the ‘Old Glasgow Business’ of James Sword & Son. The following is an extract: ‘There is a Waterloo Medal in the family of the founder of the firm which reposed in the safe at Hutcheson Street until recently. The honour was awarded to James Sword, jun’s. brother, Alexander, “Lately Lieutenant in His Majesty’s 91st Regiment of Foot,” so runs the document. This young officer carried the colours of his regiment at the attack on Bergen-op-Zoom on 8th March, 1814. An account of this action states, “The British, after forcing an entrance, had their retreat cut off and a dreadful slaughter ensued; nearly all were cut to pieces or made prisoners.” Young Sword, however, saved his colours at “his imminent peril.” He also suffered shipwreck on his way to join the “Royal African Colonial Corps.”’