UK Naval Awards or What?

[Skip Pickett]

I recently picked up these odd little oars or paddles that appear to be a souvenir or award of some type? Most have some tiny Asian stamps and I assume Chinese made. They are about 8 inches long.

Any idea what they were and/or represented?

Thanks, Skip

[byterock]

They are what they appear to be 'souvenir sweeps' for various ship/station/fleet regattas of the 1930s

The winning crew would get the sweep and their name on I would guess on a cup.

Yes and in those days silver like this was cheap.

Some nice named ships and stations there.

Nice little piece of RN ephemera. Most melted down for silver long ago

[Seigfried]

'Sweeps'? Is this American for 'oars'?

Many have silver hallmarks, they will tell you who made the piece, where and when.

http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/index.htm<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>

[byterock]

"'Sweeps'? Is this American for 'oars'?"

All sweeps are oars but not all oar are sweeps.

A sweep is a two handed oar for one man. Most small boats on HM ships used this type of oar.