A Rare Bengal Cavalry Percussion Carbine. 37" overall, 21" carbine bore barrel, blade foresight, H&S (Hollis & Sheath)] stamp at breech, engraved ‘Garden, 200, Piccadilly, London’ on top of the barrel, plain tang. Rounded double border line engraved hammer with chequered spur & engraving, flat double border line engraved lock marked ‘12th Bengal Irregular Cavalry’. Figured walnut grip with leather at the wrist. Regulation style German Silver mounts comprising butt plate, scroll trigger guard & fore end cap, sling bar with ring, & swivel ramrod.
Circa 1851
1847 EIC pattern carbine in good condition from the Nepal’s hoard of weapons.
See David Harding ‘Smallarms of the East India Company’ Vol 2. page 507 & David Harding ‘Introduction to East India Company Smallarms’ page 108.
These uncommon carbines ordered by the Commanding Officer, Captain W. C. Alexander in 1851 for the Irregular Bengal Cavalry. They were supplied by the London Gun maker Garden, 200, Piccadilly, London.,
The 12th Bengal Irregular Cavalry (formed in 1846, disbanded in 1857) were among those units than mutinied in 1857 later fleeing to Nepal only to be disarmed upon entry. By Treaty agreement with the British, the Nepalese were allowed to keep these seized arms but were required to hang the mutineers. In truth they were disarmed but the soldiers were permitted residence within Nepal thereafter explaining today's large Indian ethnic population there today alongside the traditional Gurkhas.