Original Item: One of a kind. Here we have a lovely presentation servicing basket, marked to the 4th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, a large infantry regiment that at one point had at least 16 battalions deployed. Baskets such as these would be kept in the officer’s mess, possibly used for serving pralines or some other small dry items that the common soldiers definitely did not have access to.
The basket is marked on one side in a circle with the emblem of the Rifle Brigade. There is an attached plate on the other side, which looks like would normally be inscribed, but is blank. The bottom of the basket is nicely marked with the following inscription.
THE OFFICERS
4TH BATT. RIFLE BRIGADE
FROM
LT. COL. L. STOPFORD SACKVILLE
1895.
Also on the bottom are London Hallmarks, which show the “Lion” Sterling Standard Mark, the “Crowned Leopard’s Head” for London, and a capital letter “U”, for 1895 production. There is a maker mark of D J / W, which we have not been able to identify.
The basket measures about 7 1/2″ x 5 3/4″, with a height of 3 3/4 at the “handles”. It is in very good condition, and shows just a bit of tarnishing. A great piece of late Victorian militaria, ready to research and display, or even use!