(1851) Army of India medal with one clasp. BHURTPOOR. Silver, 36 mm. MY-104 (clasp xxi), BBM-53. Swivel mount and scroll suspension. Abo...

(1851) Army of India medal with one clasp. BHURTPOOR. Silver, 36 mm. MY-104 (clasp xxi), BBM-53. Swivel mount and scroll suspension. About Uncirculated.

Edge impressed SERJt E. REILLY, 16th LANCERS. A lovely example, lustrous and reflective with dusky gray tone that yields to iridescent highlights of orange, gold, rose, and more. Scattered signs of handling are noted, along with a rim bruise on the reverse at 4:00. The 16th (The Queen's) Lancers were a cavalry regiment that carried their lances into battle at the Siege of Bharatpur, facing the troops of the Maratha Empire. Jealous of the fact that Bharatpur was outside of the control of the Honourable East India Company, a plan to take the city was devised in 1825. The fort was surrounded that December and fell to British troops on January 18, 1826.

BBM reports that 1,528 clasps were awarded to European troops present for the action, of which 178 went to the 16th Lancers. Sgt. Edward Reilly appears on the rolls for this medal and clasp.

Offered with an appropriate pale blue ribbon, likely original.

Estimate: $600 - $1,200.

Provenance: From the Gem Collection.

Earlier from the J. Coolidge Hills Collection; collection of the American Numismatic Society; Morton and Eden's sale of May 2006, lot 46.

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