Thank you all for your help
I found a trace for the mysterious symbol on the hilt and it is very strange. If you like the “Da Vinci Code” will love this
http://emblem.libraries.psu.edu/parad166.htm
Mark
As far as I can search, it was
never a priory of any Hospitallier order in modern Greece. But there are some ties.
Two years after the greek revolution of 1821, the order made an agreement with some leaders to help the revolution with money and men and receive the island of Rhodes (after its liberation). They wanted Rhodes because of their medieval history. It was in their stronghold from 1310 to 1523 before they get Malta. The agreement broke because European countries and the new greek government didn’t like it.
If we accept that this sword was given to John James Watts, of the English branch of the Order, it must be some time around 1850. If so, the blade is earlier because Klingenthal had stopped production.
The text of dedication is French but if Jean Paleologus was in Greece and Watts was English the text should be Greek or English. So I suppose that this Paleologus was living in France and he wanted to revive the order of Malta in Greece. Apparently he didn’t made it.
Roz
I have not decoded it and I have no sources to do it. If you can help, I will be grateful. Thank you