This beautifully etched and silver-gilt presentation saber was made by John Prosser c. 1823. The curved blade is approximately 30 1/2 inches long and etched with the inscription flanked by pineapples and a stand of arms on one side, while the other side features etchings of the cipher of King George IV, stands of palm trees, double-headed eagle (appears to be a Goodman crest), an unknown coat of arms (potentially that of the colony or militia), British royal coat of arms, and the maker's mark "PROSSER/Manufacturer/-to the-/King/No 9/Charring Cross/LONDON". The elaborate silver-gilt hilt features prominently a high relief eagle's head pommel, high relief double-headed eagle and representation of winged Victory forming either side of the grip backed by black enamel, and the "IP" hallmarked guard embellished with a wreathed pineapple. The wooden scabbard has had the covering expertly replaced with what appears to be emu leather or similar. It has large ornate silver-gilt mountings featuring pineapples backed by black enamel and vine-like scrolls. The mouth is discreetly engraved with Prosser's mark and address and the mounting bearing the lower hanger is hallmarked "IP". The inscription on the blade reads, "A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE Presented to LIEUt COLl S.A. GOODMAN. Commanding the George Town Brigade of DEMERARY MILITIA/By the INHABITANTS of GEORGE TOWN & its VICINITY. for his unwearied exertions in the Public Service. at & after the breaking out of ye INSURRECTION/on the 18th of August 1823 and they beg the LIEUt COLONEL to be assured that this small testimony of their regard is accompanied with their sincerest wishes/that he may enjoy LONG LIFE HAPPINESS and increased HONORS." Period correspondence indicates that, after the insurrection was suppressed, Goodman was presented with 400 pounds sterling for a plate of his choosing and 100 pounds sterling to have this sword made, both of which were to bear the inscription seen above. Stephen Arthur Goodman joined the British army in 1794 as an ensign in the 48th Regiment of Foot, eventually rising to the rank of captain. He later served under the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War and was the deputy judge-advocate of Wellington's army during the Waterloo campaign and the occupation of Paris. In 1823, he was in the British colony of Demerara and was deputed by the governor of said colony to organize a militia to assist in putting down a slave revolt. The revolt was quashed quickly resulting in the deaths of a few hundred slaves, particularly the ring leaders, including a British missionary named John Smith (died in custody before being executed). Smith's death in particular helped sway public opinion of the revolt in Britain and would eventually be viewed as a pivotal point in the move towards abolition within the British Empire.

Extremely fine, the blade showing a mixture of bright a grey patina with some scattered patches of light pitting and mostly crisp etching. The silver-gilt mountings generally show an attractive bright finish with some darker patina in sheltered areas and some scattered patches of slight loss revealing the silver beneath. The scabbard is very fine with professionally replaced covering and the silver-gilt mountings generally showing the same as those on the saber. An exceptionally attractive presentation piece with rich British Imperial history!