Hidden in Black, Revealed in Gold: QUEST Products Uncover an 1785 Officer’s Sword

Earlier this year, one of our customers made an extraordinary underwater discovery using the QUEST Scuba Tector — a heavily encrusted sword handle recovered from the seabed. At the time of recovery, the object appeared completely black, with no visible indication of what lay beneath decades of corrosion and marine buildup.

Provided by Mark Pearce from UK           Date: January 14th, 2026

After careful conservation work by a professional conservator, the story became even more impressive. The sword handle was taken apart for preservation and scientific testing, which revealed that the handle and fittings contain 16.8% gold. This confirms it as a high-end officer’s sword dating back to around 1785.

Provided by Mark Pearce from UK           Date: January 14th, 2026

As cleaning progressed, traces of gold began to emerge from under the encrustation — a stunning transformation from what was once an unremarkable dark mass. The sword will be reassembled and prepared for display in the future.

For us at QUEST, this real-world find is a powerful reminder of how modern detection technology can help uncover and protect pieces of history hidden beneath the water.