A Rare 16 Bore Percussion Pistol for an Officer of the 2nd Scinde Irregular Horse. 14 ½” overall, 9” 16 bore round barrel engraved on the top flat ‘Garden, 200 Piccadilly, London.’ Birmingham Proof on the underside. Scroll engraved breech and tang, tang fitted with standing back sight, foliate scroll engraved flat lock engraved ‘2nd Scinde Irregular Horse’. Figured full stock with chequered butt, foliate scroll engraved German Silver trigger guard, lion mask butt cap, with ring swivel for suspension and fore end, vacant escutcheon, and stirrup ramrod.
Circa 1846.
In very good condition, most original finish, only about 250 made, very few survive in good condition
Hugh Garden is recorded as a ‘Army accoutrement maker, saddler etc’ at 200 Piccadilly, London, between 1826 and 1851.
Captain, later General John Jacob arranged the purchase of these pistols by the Native Officers and NCOs of the Scinde Irregular Horse; they came into use in the 1st SIH in c1844-1845 and in the 2nd SIH on or soon after the raising in 1846.
Each Officer and NCO bought a pair of these pistols, costing Rupees 56 (about 112s, when the Company s cavalry pistols cost only 64s per pair) Even Jacob considered this a high price: ‘they are rather expensive’. he wrote, ‘but the men are delighted with them, and would gladly pay much more for them if necessary’
Successful actions by the Scinde Horse in 1847 and 1849, and not least Jacob’s publicity for them, led other irregular units to copy their arms
See D. F. Harding (2013) ‘An Introduction to East India Company Smallarms’ c1775-1851. Pagesv178-9.