241 |
A SILVER-MOUNTED DRUM-MAJOR'S MACE PRESENTED BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN MACRAE-GILSTRAP OF EILEAN-DONAN TO 11TH (SERVICE) BN., THE BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLANDERS). DATED 1914, LONDON SILVER HALLMARKS FOR 1915, MAKER.S MARK OF CATCHPOLE & WILLIAMS LTD
with tapering black-painted Malacca body, steel-tipped silver basal cap (damaged), the greater part of its surface bound with a trellis of leather threaded through a silver eye at the top, applied in silver with a crown and the regimental inscription '11 (S) R.H.B.W.', and finely cast and chased crown finial engraved with the owner's details around the base
128.5cm; 50 5/8in
John MacRae-Gilstrap of Eilean Donan (1861-1937) began his military career in 1880 as Second Lieutenant John MacRae in the Antrim Militia, later 4th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles, transferring as a lieutenant to 6th Brigade, Royal Artillery (Scottish Division) in May 1883 and, in December 1883, to The Black Watch. Promoted captain in August 1890, he transferred on retired pay to the regiment's 3rd (Militia) Bn. in October 1890 and was given the honorary rank of major in that battalion in 1898. In August 1914 he was given the temporary rank of major and in November 1914, after running and extensive and successful recruiting campaign in the western Highlands and Islands of Scotland, was given command of 11th (Service) Bn., The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) in Perth. In December 1914 he was given the temporary rank of lieutenant-colonel and commanded the battalion throughout the First World War, retiring with the honorary rank of lieutenant-colonel in May 1918.
The regimental history records that 'A pipe band was formed in January 1915...Thanks to the generosity of the Commanding Officer and of the Clan MacRae Society, very handsome sets of pipes and drum were supplied for the use of the Battalion.' (Wauchope, Vol. III, p. 271). It seems most probable that this drum-major's staff was presented at this time.
In 1889 MacRae married Isabella, co-heiress of Sir William Gilstrap, Bt., (1816-96) and in 1897, following the baronet's death, joined his wife's surname and arms to his, becoming John MacRea-Gilstrap. Appointed a member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms in 1901, he was also a member of the Royal Company of Archers (King's Bodyguard for Scotland), a Justice of the Peace, Deputy Lieutenant for Argyll, Sheriff of Nottinghamshire in 1913 and a Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. In 1912, he acquired the ruined castle of Eilean Donan at the northern end of Loch Duich and appointed himself its constable, devoting the next two decades to its meticulous refurbishment.
Estimate: 250-350 |
Nil |
|
700 |
242 |
A FINE AND RARE OFFICER'S 'REGENCY' PATTERN SHAKO, PROBABLY KIRKCUDBRIGHT AND WIGTON MILITIA, CIRCA 1816-22
the body of black felt or felted beaver, 7½in high, with an attached band of black silk 1in wide around the base and an attached band of gold lace 1½in wide around the crown; the sunken crown of heavily blackened brown leather, 9¾in diameter; the blackened leather peak with an attached brown pigskin underside; a brown leather inner headband 1¾in deep attached to a light buff twill liner incorporating a drawstring; fitted with plaited lines of silver round-cord and a double strand of silver round-cord from which is pendant a single strand of silver round-cord terminating in a plaited 'flounder' and tassel; chin-scales of gilded metal, overlapping and scallop-cut, with gilded metal 'tudor rose' bosses, lined with padded black fabric and terminating in black silk ribbons. At centre front, in gilded metal and attached with loops through which pass leather fasteners, a thistle, slipped and leaved, 3in high and 3in wide, beneath a separate gilded metal monarchial crown, 1½in high and 1¾in wide, attached with long copper wires; above, mounted upon a blackened brown leather rayed disc-rosette, 1¾in diameter, a brass partially domed disc, 15/16in diameter, mounted with the numeral XXI within a raised border, the disc fastened through the rosette with long copper wires and with a piercing behind, in the edge of the shako crown, for a plume holder.
height: 19cm; 7½in. Diameter of crown: 25cm; 9¾in.
Attribution of the regiment to which this shako relates rests upon the Roman numeral XXI mounted upon the brass disc prominently displayed above the equally prominent thistle badge. Between 1803 and 1833, the Kirkcudbright and Wigton Militia was designated 21st in the order of precedence of the United Kingdom's Militia regiments (Baldry, 1936, pp. 11-12).
Raised in 1798 as part of the 4th (or Dumfries-shire) Regiment of North British Militia, the Kirkcudbright and Wigton Militia obtained a separate identity in 1802 with Sir John Dalrymple Hay, baronet, (1746-1812) as its first colonel. Upon Sir John's death, Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart Murray Fullerton became colonel and retained that position until 1820, the regiment becoming designated 'Light Infantry' in 1812. In 1854 the regiment was renamed the Galloway Rifle Militia but in 1860 it was disbanded, its companies being drafted into the Dumfriesshire and Ayrshire Regiments of Militia. See W.Y Baldry 1936, pp.5-16. With thanks to Dr Stuart Allan, Curator, National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Estimate: 2500-3500 |
Nil |
|
|
243 |
THE KING'S COLOUR, 54TH (WEST NORFOLK) REGIMENT OF FOOT, CIRCA 1795-1801
of silk, sewn from twelve white, eight blue and three red pieces to form a Union Flag of the type in use 1707-1800 and embroidered in the centre with a symmetrical Union wreath, of four garden roses and six thistles, in coloured silks enclosing a heart-shaped shield with a decorative border of yellow silk embroidery containing, in silver wire embroidery, the numeral LIV over the title REGT; the hoist tube of crimson silk. The silk faded overall, with extensive shredding, some tears and remnants of old netting; some possible loss of material at the bottom and fly edges.
Contained in a glazed wooden frame to show the reverse side of the Colour (with the hoist at the right as viewed); the wooden back board of the frame inscribed, in felt-tip pen: Regimental COLOUR OF 54TH REGIMENT OF FOOT THE DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT. PRESENTED TO THE ENSIGN CHRISTOPHER DARBY BY KING GEORGE III & CARRIED THROUGH THE NAPOLEONIC WARS & WATERLOO THE PENINSULAR (sic) & EGYPT. FINALLY PRESENTED TO GENERAL C. DARBY BY KING GEORGE IV. The back board bearing the framer's label of 'Thomas Dockrell & Sons, South Great George's Street, Dublin'.
The frame 145cm; 57in x 185cm; 72¾in; visible area of the Colour 133cm; 52¼in x 173; 68¼in.
The style of shield-and-wreath decoration of this Colour, together with the form of the regimental title, conforms to that of Colours known to have been issued to regiments of Foot after the mid-1780s. The use of a pre-1801 Union Flag and the absence of shamrocks from the Union wreath strongly suggests a terminus ante quem of 1800-1801 for this Colour, the majority of regiments rapidly obeying the Horse Guards' circular of 13th December 1800 that notified them of the impending change in the form of the national flag which, from 1st January 1801, would incorporate the red saltire of St Patrick to symbolise the Act of Union with Ireland effective from that date (Milne, 1893, pp. 118 & 130-135).
The regimental historian records the presentation of new Colours to the 54th in 1771 and 1827 but it is very probable that the regiment received several stands of new Colours between those two dates. When the 54th returned from Flanders in 1795, after two years' very hard campaigning, it was bereft of large quantities of arms and equipment and this was remedied between 1795 and 1796, in which year the regiment embarked for St Vincent in the Caribbean: new drums are known to have been issued as part of the process and it is probable that new Colours were issued at that time, this Colour being one of the pair probably issued then (Atkinson, 1947, pp. 12, 63 & 137). If the association of this Colour with the Darby family is correct, Ensign Jonathan Darby of the 54th - the only son of the then Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Darby of the same regiment - may have been one of the two ensigns to whom the Colours were presented on that occasion.
Christopher Darby (1758-1832) was the seventh son of Jonathan Darby (1713-76) of Leap Castle in the King's County (now Co. Offaly), Ireland. Originally commissioned in the 33rd Regiment of Foot in 1775, he became Captain-Lieutenant in the 54th in 1779, gaining command of his own company in 1781. Promoted major in 1794 and lieutenant-colonel in 1795, he was advanced to colonel in 1803, served as a brigadier 1804-1810 and was promoted major general in 1810 and lieutenant-general in 1814. He served in America for six years during the War for Independence, 1775-83, being present at the actions at Bedford, Long Island, West Plains, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth Courthouse, participating in the expedition against New London in 1781, commanding the 54th at Fort Griswold following its capture and then serving in New Brunswick until 1791. After the outbreak of the war with France in 1794, Darby served in Flanders 1794-95, on St Vincent in 1796, in the expeditions to Quiberon Bay and Ferrol in 1800 and with Sir Ralph Abercrombie's expedition to Egypt in 1801. Following the British invasion of Egypt, Darby commanded the 54th at the capture of the fort of Marabout before being posted to Gibraltar in 1802, serving on the staff in Ireland 1805-06 and in Jamaica 1807-11 and ending his career as general officer commanding the Limerick district of Ireland. His only son, Jonathan, was commissioned into the 54th in 1795, was promoted to lieutenant in 1796 and to captain in 1803; he died while on his father's staff in Jamaica in 1810.
If this Colour, as seems most likely, was presented in 1795 and retired in 1801, it will have accompanied the 54th to St Vincent in 1796, flown in Ireland in 1798-99 and been taken with the regiment on the expeditions to Brittany and Ferrol and possibly into the Mediterranean during 1800-01. It is possible that, depending upon when in 1801 the 54th renewed its Colours, this was one of the pair which accompanied the regiment to Egypt in that year, in which case it would have been borne by the 54th in the attack upon and capture of Marabout fort - a battle honour uniquely granted to the 54th in 1841. See C. T. Atkinson 1947 and S.M. Milne 1893.
Estimate: 2000-3000 |
Nil |
|
|
244 |
TWO WAIST BELT CLASPS TO THE 101ST ROYAL BENGAL FUSILIERS AND THE 105TH MADRAS LIGHT INFANTRY, CIRCA 1860
silver on gilt
The first 6.5cm; 2 1/4in diameter
(2)
Estimate: 200-250 |
5% |
|
500 |
245 |
TWO WAIST BELT CLASPS TO THE ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS AND THE ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS, CIRCA 1880
silver on gilt
the first 6.5cm; 2 1/4in diameter
(2)
Estimate: 200-250 |
5% |
|
520 |
246 |
TWO WAIST BELT CLASPS TO THE INNISKILLING FUSILIERS AND GRENADIER GUARDS, 1880-1900
the first 7cm; 2 1/2in diameter
silver on gilt
(2)
Estimate: 200-250 |
5% |
|
480 |
247 |
A SHOULDER BELT PLATE AND A HELMET PLATE TO THE CAMERONIANS, CIRCA 1900
silver metal
the first 8cm; 3 1/4in wide
(2)
Estimate: 200-250 |
5% |
|
200 |
248 |
A SHOULDER BELT PLATE AND A WAIST BELT PLATE TO THE ROYAL SCOTS, CIRCA 1900
silver on gilt
the first 10.5cm; 4in wide
(2)
Estimate: 300-370 |
5% |
|
280 |
249 |
A SHOULDER BELT PLATE AND A WAIST BELT PLATE TO THE BLACK WATCH, CIRCA 1910
silver on gilt
the first 8cm; 3in wide
(2)
Estimate: 300-370 |
5% |
|
350 |
250 |
A SHOULDER BELT PLATE AND A WAIST BELT PLATE TO THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS, CIRCA 1900
silver on gilt
the first 8cm; 3in wide
(2)
Estimate: 300-370 |
5% |
|
320 |
251 |
A SHOULDER BELT PLATE AND TWO WAIST BELT PLATES TO THE SCOTS GUARDS, CIRCA 1900
silver on gilt with green enamel inserts
the first 7.5cm; 2 3/4in wide
(3)
Estimate: 350-450 |
5% |
|
1100 |
252 |
FOUR WAIST BELT PLATES TO THE BLACK WATCH, HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY, GORDON HIGHLANDERS AND THE ROYAL SCOTS, 1880-1910
silver and gilt
the first 5cm; 2in diameter
(4)
Estimate: 200-250 |
5% |
|
280 |
253 |
A GOOD HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY PLAID BROOCH, CIRCA 1910
silver metal and gilt device with embossed battle honours
10cm; 4in diameter
Estimate: 300-500 |
5% |
|
350 |
254 |
A WHITE METAL PLAID BROOCH TO THE CAMERONIANS, CIRCA 1880
with engraved battle honours and crests, complete with citrine mounted in the centre
11cm; 4 1/4in diameter
Estimate: 250-300 |
5% |
|
320 |
255 |
A WILLIAM IV PLAID BROOCH TO THE SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS, EDINBURGH, 1836
with engraved initials 'WHRB', maker's mark obscured by pin
10cm; 4in diameter
Estimate: 250-300 |
5% |
|
700 |
256 |
A PLAID BROOCH TO THE 74TH FOOT
with engraved battle honours and centrally-mounted imitation citrine, silver metal
10.5cm; 4 1/4in diameter
Estimate: 300-500 |
5% |
|
600 |
257 |
A SILVER PLAID BROOCH TO MAJOR DOUGLAS, FIRST BATTALION QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS, BENT & BARKER, BIRMINGHAM 1897
in original case with retailer's label for R. & H. B. Kirkwood of Edinburgh
7cm; 2 3/4in diameter
Estimate: 550-600 |
5% |
|
600 |
258 |
A PLAID BROOCH TO THE ROYAL HIGHLANDERS, CIRCA 1910
silver metal
10cm; 3 3/4in diameter
Estimate: 250-350 |
5% |
|
200 |
259 |
A VICTORIAN SILVER PLAID BROOCH TO THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS, EDINBURGH 1891
retailed by Brook & Son
8cm; 3 1/4in diameter
Estimate: 200-250 |
5% |
|
420 |
260 |
FOUR TURNED WOODEN POLYCHROME TRUNCHEONS, 19TH CENTURY
the first by Field, 233 Holborn, painted 'VR' crowned, and impressed 'R296' and 'R348'; the second painted with the Royal arms enclosed by the Order of the Garter and with 'GR' either side; the third with 'VR' crowned, and 'D.C. 1843'; and the fourth painted with 'VR' crowned (each with paint losses)
(4)
Estimate: 150-250 |
Nil |
|
260 |
261 |
A FRENCH MODEL 1845 CUIRASSIER OFFICER'S HELMET
with brass body, the outer surface silvered, fitted with gilt crest, brass rim, brass plume-holder, brass chin-scales, and with its black and red hair plumes (losses, worn)
29cm; 11 1/2in high
Estimate: 500-700 |
5% |
|
750 |
262 |
A FRENCH BICORN HAT AND KEPI OF CADRE NOIR OF SAUMUR, 20TH CENTURY
the first covered in black fur, applied with gilt bullion and gilt button inscribed 'Ecole de Cavalerie' and the impressed 'Saumur Kepis, 11, Rue Gambetta, 49400 Saumur' in gilt letters on the inside
(2)
Estimate: 150-250 |
Nil |
|
130 |
263 |
THREE PAIRS AND EIGHT SINGLE STIRRUPS, THREE PAIRS AND THREE SINGLE OFFICER'S SPURS AND A SPANISH SPUR, 17TH/19TH CENTURIES,
including one pair, German, 17th century, with arched sides punched with hearts, rondels and wrigglework, and fitted with a loop for suspension at the top; another pair, 18th century probably German, with open treads decorated with simple filed patterns and rounded side bars rising up to a loop for suspension; and a pair of Brazilian stirrups, with characteristic openwork treads (patinated); three pairs with slender arched heel bands, small rowels, and each retaining its leather strap and buckle, the other three of similar type; and the last with arched heel bands with pierced slotted terminals for straps, and eight-point rowel (rusted)
(24)
Estimate: 200-300 |
Nil |
|
250 |
264 |
A COMPOSITE GERMAN PICKELHAUBE, LATE 19TH CENTURY
with leather skull, fitted with gilt-brass helmet-plate, leather lining band and green liner
22.3cm; 8 3/4in high
Estimate: 200-300 |
Nil |
|
420 |
265 |
A COMPOSITE NORTH EUROPEAN CUIRASSIER'S ARMOUR, EARLY 17TH CENTURY
comprising close helmet with two-piece skull joined along a low medial comb and fitted at the nape with a plume-holder, and visor, upper bevor and lower bevor attached to it by common pivots, the visor pierced above a prominent step with a pair of vision-slits, the prow-shaped upper bevor pierced at each side with circular ventilation-holes in rosette formation, both parts of the bevor secured at the right side by swivel-hooks and studs, and a single deep gorget-plate front and rear, collar of one plate front and rear, earlier breastplate formed with a medial ridge projecting forward over the belly and with boxing at each side, fitted at its arm-openings with moveable gussets and flanged outwards at its lower end to receive a fauld of two lames supporting a pair of hinged tassets each of ten lames and terminating in winged poleyns of four lames, one-piece backplate with buff-leather lining flanged outwards at it lower end to receive a deep detachable culet of five lames, large symmetrical pauldrons each of eight lames connected by a turner to an articulated tubular vambrace with winged bracelet couter of three lames, and gauntlets each formed of a flared and pointed tubular cuff, six metacarpal-plates, a shaped knuckle-plate, scaled finger and thumb-defences, and fitted with a buff-leather lining-glove, the helmet and cuirass respectively decorated with single and paired incised lines, all parts formed at their main edges with inward turns, those of the backplate finely roped (patches of rust overall); on an iron stand
The helmet is of Dutch fashion (see T. Richardson 1991, figs 1-6 & 9-12), and the cuirass and its decoration, of Brunswick fashion, (see W. Fanger 1981, figs 15-17)
Estimate: 8000-12000 |
5% |
|
7000 |
266 |
A LIFE-SIZED FULL ARMOUR FOR MAN AND HORSE IN THE GERMAN HIGH GOTHIC STYLE OF CIRCA 1490-1510
comprising sallet with fluted skull formed with a low medial ridge, fitted with visor, bevor with shaped lower border, three-piece breast-plate with pierced central boss, matching backplate, a pair of pauldrons, vambraces, lower cannons, a pair of large cowters, fingered gauntlets with hinged thumb-defences, cuisses, greaves, poleyns, and pointed sabatons of seven articulated lames, saddle facted with three fluted plates at the front, shaffron flaring out over the nose, incorporating a faceted rounded plate, large cheek-pieces, ear-defences, crinet of ten articulated lames, peytral of five large fixed plates, crupper of two pairs of five plates joined by leather straps and buckles, the main plates throughout decorated with fluted patterns, the principal borders reinforced with decorated shaped brass panels, mounted on a realistic plastic horse, trimmed with crimson velvet
Estimate: 8000-12000 |
Nil |
|
|
267 |
A HEAVY FIELD ARMOUR IN THE GERMAN 'MAXIMILIAN' STYLE OF CIRCA 1520, PROBABLY SOUTH GERMAN, 19TH CENTURY
comprising close helmet with rounded skull rising to a low boldly-roped medial comb, and 'bellows' visor, collar of three lames front and rear, rounded breastplate with moveable gussets at it's arm-openings and separate waist-lame flanged outwards at its lower end to receive a fauld of three lames carrying a pair of tassets each of four lames, backplate with separate waist-lame flanged outwards to receive a culet of two lames, large symmetrical pauldrons each of six lames, the second bearing a haute-piece, tubular three piece vambraces with large bracelet couters, short-cuffed mitten-gauntlets, gutter-shaped cuisses each terminating in a winged poleyn of four lames, and tubular full-length greaves each terminating in a broad-toed sabaton of eight lames, the surfaces of all elements, with the exception of the greaves, decorated with close-set fluting in the 'Maximilian' fashion, and their main edges decorated with roped inward turns accompanied by recessed borders; mounted on a wooden stand together with a contemporary two-hand sword of early 16th century German style possessing writhen pommel and guards
Estimate: 8000-12000 |
Nil |
|
|
268 |
A FLUTED FULL ARMOUR IN THE SO-CALLED GERMAN 'MAXIMILIAN' FASHION OF CIRCA 1520, 19TH/20TH CENTURY
comprising close helmet formed of a one-piece skull rising to a low roped comb, and fitted with a bellows visor and bevor, gorget, breastplate fitted with fauld of five articulated lames matching backplate, a pair of pauldrons fitted with haute-pieces, a pair of vambraces, with tubular upper and lower cannons, small couters and a pair of fingered gauntlets (losses), a pair of full leg defences including cuisses, winged poleyns and sabatons, decorated throughout with bold fluting, on a wooden stand, and complete with a sword in contemporary style
Estimate: 1000-1500 |
Nil |
|
1200 |
269 |
A CLOSE HELMET IN GERMAN 16TH CENTURY STYLE, 19TH CENTURY
with rounded one-piece crown formed in two pieces, joined along a roped medial comb, fitted at the nape with a plume-holder, visor, upper bevor and bevor attached by common pivots, the visor with a pair of vision slits and a lifting peg, upper bevor pierced with slots and holes, the bevor and upper bevor secured by spring-catches, two gorget-plates front and rear, and with a padded liner
32cm; 12 5/8in high
Estimate: 1000-1500 |
Nil |
|
1200 |
270 |
AN ETCHED CIRCULAR SHIELD IN 16TH CENTURY STYLE, 19TH CENTURY
of convex form, fitted at its centre with a writhen spike on an elaborately pierced foliate washer, roped brim, decorated over its full surface with bold scrolls of foliage divided into quarters, and additional running pattern at the border, and studded with lining rivets around the brim
58.5cm; 23in diameter
Estimate: 800-1200 |
Nil |
|
|
