Product Details
A RARE .65 NATIVE OFFICER'S PERCUSSION PISTOL OF THE POONAH IRREGULAR HORSE BY GARDEN & SON, CIRCA 1850, no visible serial number,
with 9in. twist barrel, the top flat engraved 'GARDEN & SON 200 PICCADILLY LONDON', and having the usual cavalry refinement of a swivel rammer hinged at muzzle, hook breech fitted with a fixed vee sight and foliate scroll engraved, bar-action lock bearing the legend 'POONAH IRREGULAR HORSE' to the centre and surrounded with some foliate scroll engraved decoration, full walnut stock with chequered butt and fitted with German silver mounts including lions head butt-cap with lanyard ring held in lions mouth, foliate scroll engraved trigger-guard, plain nose-cap, rammer pipe and two barrel key escutcheons
Provenance: This rare and historic pistol is one on a small order specially made for the Poonah Irregular horse in 1850, the pistols were for issue to native officers and N.C.O.'s each of whom carried two pistols, it is doubtful if more than 200 were made. The design is the same as those issued to the Scinde Irregular Horse from 1846 and is believed to have been designed by the famous General John Jacob. The supplier was Robert Garden who supplied many of the Indian irregular units, he was not the maker, more of a commission agent, the order was completed by the Birmingham trade possibly Hollis & Sheath who were known to have supplied Garden. These pistols were highly regarded by the irregular native troopers in the service of the East India Company, they were made to a very high standard are stylish, graceful and slender with many quality features not generally associated with military arms, also easy to use with good handling characteristics and point ability. The P.I.H. like all Indian irregular units was what was known as a sillidar regiment, members of these units received a higher rate of pay but were responsible for their own equipment including horses and weapons, and consequently these pistols were privately purchased by the regiment via a fund set up for that purpose. The P.I.B. have a long and illustrious history, during the period this pistol was on issue the Regiment formed part of the cavalry force attached to the Persian expedition. The regiment took part in the famous battle of Kushab which was mainly a cavalry action and played a large part in destroying the Persian army. Their C.O. Brigadier Trapp led the regiment in the main charge against the Kushkai regiment, also known as the Shahs Guards, who were trained to European standards and formed a square. This square was broken by a charge of the 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry and the P.I.B. it was one of few examples where a perfectly formed infantry square was broken by cavalry. In the opinion of General Jacobs who was in overall command of the expedition's cavalry division "the best cavalry performance of modern times". The P.I.B. were in Persia when the Indian Mutiny broke out in 1857, as soon as possible they were rushed back to India for employment against the rebel forces seeing further action
Please click HERE to view Terms & Conditions. Please note all Lots are listed in accordance with UK Law, for overseas buyers, please ensure you are familiar with your relevant local firearms and customs regulations before bidding.
Estimate £1,200-1,400