Original Item: One of a Kind. This is an amazing Napoleonic Silver Plated Copper tankard, approximately One Pint in capacity, which no doubt unintentionally vigorously polished, removing virtually all the exterior SILVER plating on the exterior. The interior of the tankard still does have some of the original silver plating, as well as the tin plating, which was used to prevent the copper from making the contents unpalatable. It measures 4 7/8" tall, and is just under 4" across at the base, with a 3 1/4" wide mouth. The body is the standard shape with an ear shaped handle, and there are solid silver fittings around the edge of the mouth and on the top of the handle.

One side of the tankard shows a fantastic engraving of the third-rate 74-gun Man-o-War HMS ZEALOUS, which was launched 1785 from the Deptford shipyards. She served in a number of battles of the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars, notably the Battle of the Nile, where she engaged the French ship Guerrier, helping to force her surrender. This was a truly pivotal battle, and the ship is remarkable for another reason, related to the names engraved in banners on the other side of the tankard, which read:

NELSON
HALLOWELL
FOLEY
BERRY
HOOD
BALL

These names represent FIVE CAPTAINS from that Battle that became NELSON'S BAND OF BROTHERS, all serving Officers at this event on the following ships:

H.M.S. SWIFTSURE under Captain BENJAMIN HALLOWELL.
H.M.S. GOLIATH under Captain THOMAS FOLEY
H.M.S. VANGUARD , NELSON'S FLAGSHIP, under Captain EDWARD BERRY.
H.M.S. ZEALOUS under Captain SAMUEL HOOD.
H.M.S. ALEXANDER under Captain ALEXANDER BALL.

These were five of Nelson's favored Officers resulting from this great Naval Victory.

A British Naval Tankard of very specific Historical record. VERY RARE. A fantastic display piece!