3231 RARE SIKH ARTILLERYMAN'S CROSSBELT PLATE.

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This item SOLD at 2020 Jun 14 @ 13:16UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 500.00 USD
Estimated at 1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
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.