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Army gear
These photos are of a Mameluke sword and scabbard recently bought by T.A. M-P who then had them restored by Hayden Vesty. T.A. M-P understands that it is the only one of its type in Australia and hence as certain as you can get to being Thomas Murray-Prior's. Thomas B. M-P donated the family sword in 16 May 19341) to the United Service Institution of NSW (now Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies NSW). It apparently went ‘missing’ from the Institute not long afterwards.
The below painting shows the heroic ideal of the Hussars, wielding a similar sword, in action during the Napoleonic Wars.
The below swords, in original condition with damaged scabbards, have been identified by expert Hayden Vesty as officer's swords from 1822 and 1845.2) The straight sword appears to have the Prior crest on it with the initials TP: it has the makers name on its side, indicating it was made in Paris. Was it made to replace a damaged sword after the victory at Waterloo, or was it a battle souvenir? The other sword is presumably a family one, but its original owner is unknown. The family also has two other dress swords.
The next photo is of Thomas Prior's shoulder belt plates from when he belonged to the 59th Regiment of Foot in the 1830s.3). 
These photos try to do justice to Thomas Prior's ingeniously-made travelling kit.4)
