HMS Victory is the most famous warship in British history. Launched in 1778, and serving in the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars, the ship is best known as Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Today the vessel is preserved in dry dock at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, and is the world's oldest commissioned warship.
Our HMS Victory collection lets you own a small, genuine piece of this breathtaking piece of history. Each item is handcrafted in sterling silver and set with original Victory oak or copper reclaimed from the ship.
Where the materials come from
Preserving a 250-year-old wooden ship means constant restoration. Timbers that can no longer be kept are replaced, and the copper that once protected the hull has also been removed over the years. We were lucky to have the opportunity to purchase some of the materials during one such restoration project, using it to make small, elegant pieces of jewellery.
Rather than see these materials discarded, we upcycle them into jewellery. That is central to what Hepburn & Hughes does: giving historically significant materials a second life that people can wear and pass on.
Oak: the ship's own timber
Victory was built mainly from oak, and every oak piece in our collection carries the natural grain of that wood, so no two are identical.
- HMS Victory Oak cufflinks
- HMS Victory Oak earrings
- HMS Victory Oak rings
- HMS Victory Oak tie pin
- HMS Victory Oak pendant
Wood is also the traditional gift for a fifth wedding anniversary, which makes the oak pieces a meaningful choice for couples marking five years together.
Copper: from the ship's hull
Copper was used on Royal Navy ships to protect their hulls below the waterline. Our copper pieces use metal reclaimed from Victory herself, its warm tone set against bright sterling silver.
Why HMS Victory matters
At Trafalgar, Nelson's fleet defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets, ending Napoleon's hopes of invading Britain by sea. It was the most decisive victory in British naval history, and it cost Nelson his life. The ship was badly damaged in the battle and needed extensive repairs, and has been cared for ever since. The story is one of national identity, sacrifice and endurance, and few objects carry that history as directly as these original materials.
Officially licensed and sold aboard HMS Victory
We make the collection under licence from the Royal Navy Museum, the organisation that cares for HMS Victory. Our pieces are also sold in the gift shop on board the ship itself. So you can buy with confidence that this is an authentic, officially sanctioned collection, not a lookalike. This also means that for every sale of HMS Victory jewellery, we donate to naval restoration projects through the Royal Navy Museum.
Why choose HMS Victory jewellery?
- Genuine provenance: real Victory oak or copper, not a replica
- Officially licensed by the Royal Navy Museum
- Premium sterling silver, handcrafted for lasting quality
- A distinctive gift for sailors, naval history enthusiasts, collectors and anyone who values a story
- Something to pass on, with a history that grows more meaningful over time.
Browse the full HMS Victory cufflinks and jewellery collection, or explore our Signature Historical Collection, which includes cufflinks made from salvaged Spitfire and Lancaster Bomber parts.