he source for this image is an oil painting by Henry Singleton, one of the artists who had never visited India, but responded to the public interest in Seringapatam after 1799. It is interesting that his first canvas depicted a night attack on Seringapatam: a topical subject, but painted without regard for historical accuracy. Singleton's subsequent compositions were engraved by Anthony Cardon and published in October 1801 ('The Assault') and 1802 ('The Surrender of the two Sons'). These engravings cannot have been the source for Ray and Montague's plaques, because the hallmarks on the sword confirm that it was assayed in the year 29th May 1800 - 28th May 1801. Col Sherbrooke had written to Baird that his fellow officers hoped that the sword would reach him in India before 4th May 1800, the first anniversary of the Fall of Seringapatam, and although the hallmarks post-date the anniversary, the sword was certainly complete long before the publication of Cardon's engravings.

It has been suggested that, since Singleton's uncle and wife were both artists in enamels, he and his family may already have had professional links with Ray and Montague, and through them gained access to Singleton's paintings, or to his preliminary sketches.