Original Item: One-of-a-kind set. This is from the wonderful Napoleonic Wars collection we acquired in England within the past few years featuring a a rare British East India Company Officer’s Commission dated October 28th, 1812 .
The commission is for VALENTINE HALE MAIRIS, GENTLEMAN ENSIGN in the KING’S ARMY OF THE EAST INDIES. He was only 17 years old. The Commission is signed by FIELD MARSHAL SIR GEORGE NUGENT (1757-1849).
Also included in this named set is a British Pattern 1803 Officer’s Saber with engraved and blued curved 31″ blade. The grip is bound in ray skin secured by silver wire supported in a gilt over brass guard and pommel showing the British Lion head. The quality blade is signed R. RUNKEL, SOLINGEN in script. Complete in gilt over brass mounted black leather scabbard, the top mount engraved with a worn inscription: Lt. Valentine H. Mairis, E.I.C.
Lieutenant Mairis was born in 1795, the son of a Vicar in West Lavington, Wiltshire. He entered the 78th Highland Regiment in India as an Ensign initially in India, then served in Scotland and Ireland between 1813 and 1820 by which time he had become a Major in the 6th Dragoon Guards until 1822. A nice saber of the 1803 Pattern that saw service in both India and the British Isles together with an original commission that is over 200 years old.