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RARE SIKH ARTILLERYMAN'S CROSSBELT PLATE.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
RARE SIKH ARTILLERYMAN'S CROSSBELT PLATE.
An exceptionally rare, possibly unique, crossbelt plate dating to 1849 worn during the Second Sikh War. This plate has an early period tag made from a calling card of Lt. Col. C. St. Lo. Malet that reads, "Badge from a dead Sikh artilleryman at the Battle of Goojrat Punjab February 22, 1849". The Battle of Goojerat (Gujrat) took place on the 21st of February 1849 & was the decisive battle ending the Second Sikh War. It was fought between British Troops of the East India Co. led by General Gough & the Sikh Army led by Shere Singh. The battle took place shortly after the carnage at the Battle of Chillianwallah near Goojerat in the Punjab province w/ the Himalayan mountains as a backdrop. Plate measures approx. 3 3/8" x 3". It is brass & features a Sikh artilleryman holding a rammer to the right & a cannon to the left. The reverse has a bar & 2 stud attachment . UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: period calling card of Lt. Col. Malet w/ capture provenance on the reverse. Along w/ the card are several pages of documentation relating to the service of Lt. Col. Malet, as well as information & history about the Sikh War. A copy of the catalog entry for the British Weller & Duffy auction is included. CONDITION: buckle shows light wear overall w/ a deep rich, dark patina. (02-13434/BF). $1,000-1,500.