An impressive presentation hunting sidearm by William Lund of Fleet Street, London, presented to a Madras Horse Artillery officer, of massive construction throughout, the heavy wide 50cm straight blade of flattened diamond section, struck with the makers details ' W.Lund, 24 Fleet Street, London', finely etched and engraved overall with scrolling foliage, spear pointed, the wide flat iron cross-guard pierced though with hearts, circles and four quatrefoils, large ribbed ferrule, stag-horn grip, the stag-horn pommel fitted on with four decorated countersunk screws, complete with its black leather scabbard with two, apparantly, [although not HM,] silver top locket and chape, the locket with scalloped edge and simple linear bands of engraving with contemporary engraved inscription to reverse 'From John Cressett Pelham Esq to Thos Henry Humffreys Esq Madras H. Artillery May 1st 1837’, single hanging ring, the chape decorated en-suite, minor wear to scabbard but basically in good condition overall £900-1000

See Leslie, A list of the officers of the Madras Artillery, lists a Thomas Henry Humffreys commissioned 2 Lieutenant 6 June 1823, retiring as a Captain 25 September 1841. He died 15 October 1881.
 
William Lund is known to have made among other things large size bowie and hunting knives many of which were exported to America and the Colonies, this sidearm was no doubt builtt as a special order. It is difficult to see the purpose of such a large heavy weapon [it weighs nearly 3 kilos] but it was probably intended for use on shikar expeditions and for all-purpose use on campaign service.