56th (West Essex) Regiment, Officer’s Gorget c.1785-97.
A magnificent and most rare ‘stepped’ pattern example in silver coloured metal, correctly constructed on a wire frame, the central area engraved with the Royal Arms of Great Britain pre 1801, above this ‘Gibraltar’ surmounted by the Castle & Key. In the upper left area a festoon holding a laurel wreath enclosing ’56’, in the upper right the same decoration enclosing ‘Regt.’, maximum width 106mm, height 113mm, excellent condition £3,000-£4,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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The honour ‘Gibraltar’ was awarded to the 12th (East Suffolk) Regiment, 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment, 56th (West Essex) Regiment & the 58th (Rutland) Regiment in April 1784 following the stout defence of the fortress and harbour, it was assumed that the Castle & Key insignia were also included. As a result officers’ shoulder belt plates of the period, of which two are known (39th & 58th Regiments) and here a gorget incorporated this distinction. Horse Guards refused to permit this usage and ordered the four regiments to take down any such instances. Not until the 1830’s was the insignia finally awarded to the four regiments.