Arms, Armour and Militaria

A magnificent cased set of weapons and accoutrements belonging to Lieutenant Wyndham Neave, 71st Highland Light Infantry, who was killed in action in 1858 at Morar, near Gwalior, in Central India, during the Indian Mutiny

(i) A fine quality basket hilted broadsword by Henry Wilkinson, Pall Mall, London, un-numbered the straight 82cm blade with double narrow central grooves, the ricasso also having double grooves, etched with crowned VR cypher, regimental device and ‘LXXI’ within intricate foliate panels, also near the forte within an ornate cartouche the owners crest and initials ’WN’, retaining almost all original finish, regulation basket guard pierced with hearts etc., complete with its scarlet faced buff liner edged with blue ribbon, the scarlet fringe still attached to the fluted bun shaped pommel, wood grip covered with black fish-skin bound with silver wire, guard retaining much of its original burnished finish, contained within its black leather scabbard with three matching steel mounts with linear engraving, the top locket with hanging ring and frog stud, middle mount with hanging ring, the bottom chape now lacking its ball finial, minor wear, otherwise good condition

(ii) An officers field sword, again by Henry Wilkinson, Pall Mall, London, No 6596 for 1855, the 82cm slightly curved fullered blade etched with crowned VR cypher within thistles, regimental device, ‘71st Highland Light Infantry’ and within ribbons surrounded by thistles battle honours to ‘Hindoostan’, pierced steel honeysuckle guard with foliate engraving, fluted domed pommel, wood grip covered with black fish-skin bound with silver wire, contained in its steel scabbard numbered 6596 to match the sword, minor service wear otherwise very good condition overall

(iii) A fine quality full dress dirk, by Jones, Regent Street, London, the 33cm blade notched along the back edge, etched with VR cypher, thistles, stand of arms, regimental device and motto, and ‘Highland Light Infantry’, and within scrolls battle honours to ‘Hindoostan’, one small area of rust otherwise retaining all original finish, the black wood hilt carved to the front side with strapwork set with gilt studs above panel carved with a bonnet and crossed swords and to the rear a thistle, the pommel set with a faceted cairngorm within a band of deeply chased thistles, contained in its black patent leather scabbard the whole mounted en-suite with deeply chased gilt mounts with applied thistles the top locket with applied regimental device of crowned bugle and 71 complete with its knife & fork again set with cairngorms retaining its original gold bullion hanging strap, minor crack to back of hilt, otherwise fine condition throughout

(iv) A shoulder-belt plate for an officer of the 71st, copper-gilt stippled ground with silver applied regimental device of 71 within strung bugle, hook & stud fittings to reverse and retaining its original leather backing, good condition

The whole contained in a fine quality contempory fitted mahogany case, having double locking and double opening glazed and soild lids, red velvet lining, the four items seated within shaped apertures, hinges defective and some minor damage to woodwork, otherwise good condition £4500-5000

Wyndham Neave was born 21st November 1834 being the 4th son of Sir Richard Digby Neave, Bart.

He was killed at Morar during the advance of the forces of Sir Hugh Rose against Gwalior in Central India in September 1858

In a letter to his father Lieutenant John Lightfoot of the Bombay Horse Artillery described the action ‘ Just at this time there came a cheer from the rear and up came the 71st at the double, I ceased firing and they rushed past straight at the nullah, the rebels did not wait for their approach but, throwing down their muskets they drew their swords and waving them over their heads, dashed forward to meet the 71st, young Neave son of Sir Digby Neave was killed at the first onset, but not a rebel escaped. They were killed to a man!

Kaye & Malleson recount the action as follows, ‘The main body of the enemy, driven through the cantonments, fell back on a dry nullah with high banks,running round a village, which they had also occupied. here they maintained a desperate hand-to-hand struggle with the British. The 71st Highlanders suffered severely, Lieutenant Neave, whist leading them, falling mortally wounded; nor was it till the nullah was nearly choked with dead that the village was carried’.

Sold with further research.