Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 718

An Officer's Pouch-Belt Plate, 104th Wellesley's Rifles, Indian Army c. 1906

in silver, comprising a die-struck badge and shaped and polished back-plate. The badge in the form of a Maltese cross with ball-tipped points having at its centre on a domed ground a stringed bugle-horn; the arms of the cross bearing the battle honours SERINGAPATAM, KANDAHAR 1880, MYSORE, BENIBOOALI, HYDERABAD, PUNJAB, CENTRAL INDIA, MOOLTAN and AFGHANISTAN 1879-80; the cross set within a wreath of laurel upon which are scrolls bearing the battle honours WAZIRISTAN, PERSIA, RESHIRE, BRITISH EAST AFRICA 1898, KHOOSHAB, BUSHIRE, MEEANEE, KIRKEE, BURMA 1885-1887 and ABYSSINIA; between the points of the wreath, a monarchial crown upon a tablet bearing the battle honour BOURBON; three screw and post fittings on the reverse, each with nuts and washers; the badge and the back-plate both struck with the Birmingham hallmarks for the assaying year 1905-06 and with the maker's mark JRG&S; very good condition; 93mm x 70mm.

104th Wellesley's Rifles was formed in 1903; it was a regiment whose history stretched back to the formation of the 5th Battalion of Bombay Sepoys in 1775. In 1922, it became 1st Bn. 6th Rajputana Rifles (Wellesley's). James, F. H., History of 1st Battalion 6th Rajputana Rifles (Wellesley's) (Aldershot, 1938) illustrates an officer's pouch-belt plate identical to the one catalogued here, and dated to 1905, in a plate facing p.134. It may be that the design of the officer's pouch-belt plate was not finalised until 1905; this pattern of plate was worn until c.1922.



Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£420