Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine and interesting 1821 pattern solid-patent tang light cavalry officer’s presentation sword for an officer of the 49th. Regiment, the 87cm slightly curved blade of flat-solid section, back-edged, by Henry Wilkinson, Pall Mall, London, No. 5898 (for 1855) finely etched on one side with crowned VR cypher, and within a garter ‘49th. Princess Charlotte of Wales’s Regiment.’ a dragon and ‘China’ and within scrolling ribbons the battle honours for ‘Egmont-Op-Zee’, ‘Copenhagen’ and ‘Queenstown’ and within a panel near the ricasso ‘Sebastopol, Inkermann, 1854-1855, October 17th., October 26th., November 5th.’ the whole amid finely etched foliate scrolls and strap work, the reverse of the blade etched with a long presentation inscription contained within a central panel again flanked by foliate scrolls and strap work, ‘This sword was purchased by the tenants of Sir A. V. Corbet Bart. to present to his son Captain W. R. Corbet. H.M. 49th. Regt. on his promotion-Feb. 2nd. 1855. as a mark of their affection and esteem. but he never lived to receive it- dying of brain fever at Marseilles-March 19th. 1855’. Regulation steel three-bar guard, partly chequered back-strap and chequered pommel, solid patent-tang hilt with vulcanized grips bound with silver wire, complete with its steel scabbard with two hanging rings, blade retaining much of its original finish, hilt and scabbard lightly rust patinated overall £500-600