FOSTER, Thomas & John II (Grimwade p.512)

[silverly]

9 August 1775 Thomas Foster of the Parish of Saint Andrew Holborn Sword Cutler and John Dighton of the same parish Gentleman signed a binding contract for the marriage of John Foster a minor and batchelor and Hannah Dighton a spinster with the consent of the said Thomas Foster the natural and lawful father.

[dognose]

Details of two swords in the collection held at the Windsor Armoury that may relate to the above:

629-A Regulation Military Sword.
English workmanship, late 18th Century.
The “frock” sword for the Prussian Horse Guards.

The hilt is of the usual type, but fashioned of silver, although unmarked ; wooden grip, bound with silver wire. Attached is the original silver lace sword-knot. The blade is 36½ in. long, of flattened oval section, etched and gilt at the hilt with the crowned double-headed eagle and the star of an Order. Black leather scabbard, with a silver locket inscribed FOSTER, SWORD CUTLER TO HIS MAJESTY, THE PRINCE OF WALES, AND THE DUKE OF YORK, ST. JAMES' STREET.


631-A Regulation Military Sword.
English fashion and workmanship, late 18th Century.

The hilt exactly duplicates that of No. 626, but is executed in silver instead of steel; silver-wire-bound grip. The blade is 33½ in. long, of flattened oval section; it has a shoulder. The scabbard is of black leather, with two suspending locket mounts and a chape of silver. The top locket is inscribed FOSTER, ST. JAMES’ STREET, SWORD CUTLER TO HIS MAJESTY, THE PRINCE OF WALES, AND THE DUKE or YORK.

Source: The Armoury of Windsor Castle: European Section - Sir Guy Francis Laking - 1904