Lord Nelson's sword set to fetch £50,000 at auction

A sword which is believed to have been used by British naval hero Lord Horatio Nelson has emerged for sale for £50,000.  

Nelson gave the blade to his nephew William Maurice Suckling - who served under him on HMS Agamemnon - before his death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. 

An account of the sword's history written by the British hero's great-nephew Horatio, the third Earl Nelson, included the remarkable claim that the sword also once belonged to Bonnie Prince Charlie, who laid claim to the British throne in the 18th century.

He stated that his famous ancestor was given the sword in 1796 by Cardinal Henry York - Bonnie Prince Charlie's brother - in gratitude for his help when on the run from Napoleon in Italy.

Based on the account, the antiques dealer who is selling the weapon believes that Admiral Nelson may have used it in battles against the French during the Napoleonic Wars. 

The sword will go on display at Chelsea Old Town Hall from September 21-26.