Anglo-Indian Momento of Sam Brownes 22nd Cavalry in fine Koftgari

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Hi Iain,

You are a Gentleman!
Thank you for taking the time to answer.
From the number of views it would appear that many don't bother any more.

Weapons are just part of my collection. I love metalwork and woodwork as well.
I can't just collect weapons because when it comes to collecting I can't bring myself to specialise or 'walk on by' something that catches my eye.
... That and the fact that I have a lady in my life who wouldn't take kindly to living in a house that looks 'too much' like an armoury.

I've been examining the various styles of Koftgari in my own collection on both weapons and other items spanning the thick end of two centuries and the 'seeming evolution' of style is quite interesting.
Especially with the dates of some being clearly defined, it makes for interesting research.

Regards
Gene

Hi Gene,

Its always interesting to hear about the variety of objects many here collection. I have to admit to being limited in my own collecting to the point of being a bit ridiculous. Letting myself buy a spear likely from the Congo a few weeks ago was a big step! :P I am quite lucky when it comes to the lady of the house - she complained rather loudly when I mentioned perhaps shifting some of the displays out of the study/ now her work room. Perhaps I'll just remove the sharpest ones.

For me any type of craft from a culture I'm interested in is interesting. I'd very much like to get some Nupe brass bowls for instance or Tuareg jewelry.

Returning back to the cigarette box - I too would be interested to see more photos. Forgive my ignorance but the inlay is brass correct?

[Jim McDougall]

This is a fantastic item Gene, and quite frankly, any regimental regalia of these Indian cavalry units is outstanding in itself. These regiments of the British Raj are probably the most colorful and rich in history of all, and years ago were my collecting passion (read obsession!).

As you have noted, the Frontier Force units were indeed legendary, and Sam Browne was the very fiber of the type of men in these units. The uniforms and regalia worn by these units' officers was amazing, and the crossbelts were often resplendant with hallmarked silver mounts, prickers for thier percussion pistols, and the brass unit emblems were the most addicting (and rare) collectibles ever!

As I have mentioned here before, I once was most honored to visit the late Brigadier Francis Ingall, author of his autobiography "Last of the Bengal Lancers" at his home near San Francisco. As a young cavalry officer he led one of the last mounted cavalry charges in the early 1930s on plains in the Khyber district on the Northwest Frontier. He had been with the 13th Bengal Lancers (Watsons Horse), and I was able to handle his swords and see some of his memorabilia. Over the mantle of his fireplace was a beautiful portrait of his faithful charger 'Eagerheart', and the Brigadier looked wistfully at it from time to time as he recalled amazing tales from the frontier there. It was something I will never forget.
I will also never forget winning two lances in an auction in London, and picking these up at air freight/customs in Los Angeles, and driving them home down the 405 freeway with these out the T-top of my Corvette...much to the curiosity of several Highway Patrol officers!!

For anyone interesting in more on the pageantry of these colorful and amazing regiments, I would recommend:

"An Assemblage of Indian Cavalry Uniforms", Chater Paul Chater.

"The Armies of India" Major G.F.MacMunn, London C.F.Black 1911
reprinted numerous times

"An Assemblage of Indian Army Soldiers and Uniforms"
Michael Glover, 1973

"Indian Cavalry Regiments" A.H. Bowling, Almark, 1971

For the adventurous, "Punjab Frontier Force" R. North, 1934, would be worth trying to find.

Thank you for sharing this magnificent item Gene, and any item of regimentally marked 'kit' from the regiments of the British Raj is in my opinion profoundly pertinant. Nicely done!!

All the very best,
Jim

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

This is a fantastic item Gene, and quite frankly, any regimental regalia of these Indian cavalry units is outstanding in itself. These regiments of the British Raj are probably the most colorful and rich in history of all, and years ago were my collecting passion (read obsession!).

As you have noted, the Frontier Force units were indeed legendary, and Sam Browne was the very fiber of the type of men in these units. The uniforms and regalia worn by these units' officers was amazing, and the crossbelts were often resplendant with hallmarked silver mounts, prickers for thier percussion pistols, and the brass unit emblems were the most addicting (and rare) collectibles ever!

As I have mentioned here before, I once was most honored to visit the late Brigadier Francis Ingall, author of his autobiography "Last of the Bengal Lancers" at his home near San Francisco. As a young cavalry officer he led one of the last mounted cavalry charges in the early 1930s on plains in the Khyber district on the Northwest Frontier. He had been with the 13th Bengal Lancers (Watsons Horse), and I was able to handle his swords and see some of his memorabilia. Over the mantle of his fireplace was a beautiful portrait of his faithful charger 'Eagerheart', and the Brigadier looked wistfully at it from time to time as he recalled amazing tales from the frontier there. It was something I will never forget.
I will also never forget winning two lances in an auction in London, and picking these up at air freight/customs in Los Angeles, and driving them home down the 405 freeway with these out the T-top of my Corvette...much to the curiosity of several Highway Patrol officers!!

For anyone interesting in more on the pageantry of these colorful and amazing regiments, I would recommend:

"An Assemblage of Indian Cavalry Uniforms", Chater Paul Chater.

"The Armies of India" Major G.F.MacMunn, London C.F.Black 1911
reprinted numerous times

"An Assemblage of Indian Army Soldiers and Uniforms"
Michael Glover, 1973

"Indian Cavalry Regiments" A.H. Bowling, Almark, 1971

For the adventurous, "Punjab Frontier Force" R. North, 1934, would be worth trying to find.

Thank you for sharing this magnificent item Gene, and any item of regimentally marked 'kit' from the regiments of the British Raj is in my opinion profoundly pertinant. Nicely done!!

All the very best,
Jim

Hi Jim,

Thank you for your kind comments.
These fusion pieces really do tick all the boxes for me.

I've told you before buddy, I'd love to have seen you that day in your green vette!

Even though the 22nd Sam Brownes Cavalry are on the stroke of midnight for Cavalry in general, they still had quite a noteworthy career.

I can certainly see why one might become immersed in this interesting episode of history.

Best
Gene

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Iain

Hi Gene,

Its always interesting to hear about the variety of objects many here collection. I have to admit to being limited in my own collecting to the point of being a bit ridiculous. Letting myself buy a spear likely from the Congo a few weeks ago was a big step! :P I am quite lucky when it comes to the lady of the house - she complained rather loudly when I mentioned perhaps shifting some of the displays out of the study/ now her work room. Perhaps I'll just remove the sharpest ones.

For me any type of craft from a culture I'm interested in is interesting. I'd very much like to get some Nupe brass bowls for instance or Tuareg jewelry.

Returning back to the cigarette box - I too would be interested to see more photos. Forgive my ignorance but the inlay is brass correct?

Hi Iain

LOL, that's how it starts! With one spear

The white metal inlay is of a reasonable silver content and oxidises to a dark grey quite quickly (as is often the case).
The 'gold' coloured inlay doesn't tarnish unless stained by rust from the surrounding metal. So possibly actually gold. Possibly a very yellow maleable copper alloy

If we compare this box, which was clearly made to cater to Eurpean 'colonial' tastes, with an earlier more traditional type the contrast is stark.
The construction of the earlier box is of pieces of indivicually shaped wrought iron (lots of them) held together with carefully recessed handmade screws and brazed seams.
In the close-up picture below of the bottom of the foot, the 'ripples' in the wrought iron and the patterns of crosshatching where the silver koftgari from the underside of the foot has worn away are clearly visible, giving us a tantalising glimpse into the construction of these fine pieces.

Best
Gene