Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a fantastic British Victorian Officer’s hallmarked silver and cane swagger stick, dating from the Boer War of 1899-1901. The hallmarked silver top is marked QUEEN’S WESTMINSTER VOLUNTEERS and bears the arms of the 13th Middlesex (Queen’s Westminster) Volunteer Rifle Corps. The reverse is engraved with the following inscription:-
PRIVATE H.C. CHAPMAN.
VOL.SERVICE CO’Y
KING’S ROYAL RIFLES
SOUTH AFRICA 1900 – 1901
FROM MAJOR P.J. CANNING.
D. CO’Y W.V.
In this case “W.V” represents the “WESTMINSTER VOLUNTEERS”. The hallmarks on the silver cap are the “Leopard’s Head” for London, the “Lion” Sterling Standard Mark, and a lowercase letter “a”. The style of the letter a is definitive for assay in London during the year 1896, which puts this right in period! There is also a faint D & S maker mark, which we unfortunately cannot identify.
We rather suspect this was a gift from an officer to his “batman” (manservant) completing two years service until victory in the Boer War. The stick measures about 28 1/2 inches in overall length.
A great research opportunity here! In fine condition and ready to display!