Need help with research

[Pertinax]

Dear colleagues, I need your help with two questions.

1. During the second expedition in March 1826, Clapperton, while visiting the town of Kiama, made a gift to Chief Yarro:
«Tuesday, 14th. - This morning I waited on Yarro with my present, which consisted of the following articles: - a large blue silk umbrella, one of Tatham’s African swords… On seeing the sword he could not restrain his delight, and drawing it, and brandishing it around his head, he called out, «Ya baturi! Ya baturi!» «Oh, my white lord! Oh, my white lord! » He was certainly more pleased than any man I ever saw with a present; his eyes sparkled with joy, and he shook me about a dozen times by the hand».

«Journal of a second expedition into the interior of Africa, from the bight of Benin to Soccatoo by the late commander Clapperton, of the Royal navy», London, 1829, 67

I can't figure out what these Tatham's African swords are?

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

2. I have three pages from a book or article in my online archive. I most likely downloaded them from the forum, but I can't find the original source.

Is anyone familiar with this publication?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Sincerely, Yuri

[gp]

Originally Posted by Pertinax

I can't figure out what these Tatham's African swords are?


Thanks in advance for your help.
Sincerely, Yuri

Tatham I could find this :

https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O...-tatham-james/

https://www.antique-swords.com/w74-t...ers-sabre.html

https://www.antique-swords.com/ae60-...-mameluke.html

https://www.ulricofengland.com/prods..._/b001293.html

so it seems to be the name of a maker probably made or destined for the African market....

[Tim Simmons]

What a good place this is!

[Pertinax]

Originally Posted by gp

Tatham I could find this :

so it seems to be the name of a maker probably made or destined for the African market....

Thank you so much, Gunar! Yes, you are absolutely right.

Apparently, based on the experience of the Lyon G. expedition in 1818-20 and the first Denham, Clapperton, and Oudney expedition of 1822-1824, when the rulers of the Caliphates were forced to give simple sabres, which, incidentally, were extremely rare in the Sahel and highly prized.

For the second expedition, African-style swords were ordered and made as gifts, but apparently in limited quantities. The sultans of Kiama and Bussa received gifts, while lower-ranking sultans were given simple and short sabres; some were refused altogether, despite persistent requests and demands.

[gp]

you're welcome my friend!

Some more on him:

https://www.internetgunclub.com/hd/h...urrentpage=113

https://www.saxonlodge.net/getperson...90&tree=Tatham

https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/ob...=Tatham%2C%20H.

https://www.tumblr.com/victorianswor...cers-sword-for

https://www.olympiaauctions.com/auct...lot=17825&sd=1

https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surn...ics/tatham/46/

who also made fire arms:

https://www.sworder.co.uk/auction/lo...ot=515017&sd=1

https://www.flintlockcollection.net/henry-tatham/


BRITISH 1804/14 NAVAL SEAMAN’S CUTLASS

IN 1804, AN OFFICIAL PATTERN OF CUTLASS was ordered by the Board of Ordnance. This was the famous “figure-of-eight” or double disc-hilted cutlass, and is probably the cutlass most commonly associated with Royal Navy seaman during the Napoleonic Wars. The cutlass was designed by Henry Osborn of Birmingham and initially cost 4 shillings and tenpence each (the cost of adding a leather and brass-mounted scabbard was 2/3d). According to Annis and May (Swords for Sea Service, page 79), the Board of Ordnance later claimed that the design of the sword had been a joint venture between Osborn and Lord Horatio Nelson but subsequent research has indicated that they had confused the name with a certain R.A. Nelson who was Secretary to the Navy Board at that time. Henry Osborn had the lion’s share of the initial order with 3,000 ordered from the Birmingham sword cutler with equal orders of 1,750 each shared between the following sword makers – Woolley and Co., Craven and Co., Thomas Hadley and Samuel Dawes.

Subsequent orders were placed in 1808, 1810 and in 1814, the Board of Ordnance approached the London sword maker, Tatham and Egg, and asked them to provide two new pattern cutlasses. The changes required consisted of alterations to the guard, curvature of the blade and the replacement of a rounded back to the blade with a flatback profile. It does not appear that these new patterns of cutlasses went much further than the developmental stage and the Board of Ordnance were not happy about the prices quoted by the makers so few found their way into service.

© Harvey Withers Military Publishing, 2024

Taken from The British Sword – From 1600 to the Present Day – An Illustrated History by Harvey J S Withers – 12,000 full colour photographs – 884 pages

[Pertinax]

Thanks, Gunnar, we've sorted out the first question.
Now it's time to figure out the second.