Hello to all.
I am new to this truly exceptional forum and this is my first post, so please forgive me if I do something wrong inadvertently. I hope the following is of some help.
I think I have identified two of the coats of arms on the suspension bands.
In the photo showing the second pair of bands, the one on the left appears to be a variation of the Glegg family arms (and Sir James and Sir Alexander Burnes’ mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Glegg). The other shield bears the arms of a Holland (also spelled Hoyland) family. A James Holland married in India a sister of the Burnes brothers, but why his arms should appear on the bands…
I wasn’t able to identify the other pair. Perhaps an enquiry to the Scottish and English Heraldry Colleges (respectively The Court of the Lord Lyon and The College of Arms) might help. As to how the sword found its way to Peru, it should be noted that a nephew, Ernest Burnes Whish, immigrated to South America, probably in the late 1860’s or early 70’s.
If I may, I would recommend to those interested in the historical period concerned, to read Sir Alexander’s fascinating memoirs
Cabool: being a personal narrative of a journey to, and residence in that city in the years 1836, 7, and 8, (
http://books.google.gr/books/about/C...AJ&redir_esc=y) and also, in a lighter vein, George MacDonald Fraser’s novel
Flashman, which is set at the time of the First Anglo-Afghan War and in which Sir Alexander is vividly portrayed.
Envious congratulations on a piece with such a historical background.
Regards,
Andreas