Charge of the Light Brigade sword, £1900 at Elstob.
It was carried by Lt John Chadwick, a 17th Lancers troop leader in the charge of British light cavalry led by Lord Cardigan against Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava on October 25, 1854.
The sword was consigned by Lt Chadwick’s descendants and was expected to fetch £500-700 in Ripon on August 12.
Lt Chadwick was one of only two officers taken prisoner at the battle. He managed to reach the Russian guns but his injured horse was unable to move any further and he was knocked from the saddle by an enemy lance. He was released 12 months later at the end of the Crimean conflict.
Made by Firmin & Son, Strand, London, the sword is decorated with an 1847 pattern. It is etched with a crowned VR royal cypher and accompanied by the name XVII Lancers, which is surrounded by scrolling foliage. It has a three-bar hilt with a wire fishskin grip.
Lt Chadwick’s Crimea Medal, with clasps for Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol, and a Turkish medal were sold for £14,000 at Dix Noonan Webb of London in 2020.
