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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 (from photographs) by expert Hayden Vesty.2) The straight sword has the maker's name on its side, indicating it was made in Paris. Hayden Vesty suggests it was made c.1800. The other sword is probably Thomas Prior's as it was made in the 1840s. According to Hayden Vesty, the scabbard belongs to another sword.
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)
