The Manchester Regiment, 1st Volunteer Battalion, Officer’s Astrakhan Busby in Named Tin, James Ludovic Lindsey, 26th Earl of Crawford & 9th Earl of Balcarres c. 1880-1890, Rifles pattern busby with sunken top of black cloth this with scrolling pattern decoration and cord knop, the sides of the head dress with sewn in cords and swags, to the front a coiled bugle horn badge below a corded boss this mounted with St. Edward’s crown, plume holder of blackened brass supporting plume of black horsehair with pale blue egret feathers, leather chin strap, detachable black cord cap lines present, internally complete with sweat band and silk lining and retailer’s details J.H. Milton & Co., 136, Deansgate, Manchester; the tin of 1869 shako pattern with white stencilled lid ‘Lord Ballcarres 1st V.B. Man. Regt. Haigh Hall, Wigan’, the astrakhan with slight loss of fur on one side otherwise in very good condition £400-600

Note: James Ludovic Lindsey 1847-1913 MP for Wigan 1874-1880 (when he succeeded to the Earldoms), Member of the Royal Society, an Astronomer and Bibliophile. Appointed Lieut. Colonel 4th Lancashire Volunteers (Consolidate Battalion) c. 1880 becomes Lieut. Colonel Commandant upon the 4th’s conversion to 1st Volunteer Battalion.