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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 768

(x) Steinaecker's Horse

Steinaecker's Horse was raised in June 1900 by Major F. Von Steinacker, a former Lieutenant in the Prussian Army, who had settled for nearly 20 years in southern and south-western Africa and had gained notoriety a few months previous for blowing up the railway bridge at Maleline, having reached his target by swimming the Komati River 'when the crocodiles were off their feed'.

Later winning a fearsome reputation on the Portuguese border, Steinaecker's Horse operated in what is today the Kruger National Park and were responsible for the capture of large numbers of Boer troops and their supplies. Viewed with some dismay by a number of Regular Officers who were convinced that a large trade in cattle-rustling and other nefarious activities were being perpetrated - no doubt reinforced by a colourful episode in 1902 when a party of men turned up in Barberton with an unexplained safe full of money - Staenecker's Horse nevertheless remained in the Northern Transvaal and on the border until it was replaced by the South African Constabulary in February 1903.

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Transvaal (1355 Tpr: G. P. Butler. Steinaecker's Horse), good very fine

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Sold for
£150