ELC1020 - A superb presentation sword, given by a named officer to another in the 7th Hussars, with Indian Mutiny connection.
The dedication shows that this sword was given by Frederick Myddleton West to George Henry Haynes (both of the 7th Hussars). We cannot say exactly when this sword was gifted, nor who the maker was as there are no identifying marks to the sword (although it is quite probably the product of Reeves). The sword is clearly good quality and the etching is very well executed. Haynes, who was gifted this sword, was a rare example of an officer risen from the ranks to be commissioned as an officer without purchase - it is possible that the sword was gifted in October 1855 upon his commissioning. He served in the Indian Mutiny.
George Henry Haynes (? – 25 May 1858)
Regimental Sergeant-Major - ?
Riding Master – 9 March 1855
Cornet (without purchase) – 23 October 1855
Adjutant – 23 October 1855
Lieutenant – 14 August 1857
During the Indian Mutiny the 7th Hussars joined the force under Outram at the Alambagh in February 1858 and were at the siege of Lucknow. After the capture of Lucknow the 7th formed part of the column with which Sir Hope Grant defeated the rebels at Barree on 13 April. Haynes died on 25 May 1858 en route to England from Calcutta, having been invalided home:
“On the 25th May, from the effects of sunstroke, Lieut. George Henry Haynes, 7th Hussars, on his passage home from Calcutta, eldest son of the late Mr. Haynes, of Lambeth, Surrey, having survived his father only six months, most deeply lamented by hisfamily and friends.”
(The Times, 7 August 1858)
“The screw steamship Indomitable, Captain Kitt, arrived at Gravesend on Friday night from Calcutta with a large party of sick and wounded troops, chiefly from Lucknow and Delhi, on board. Her dates are, Calcutta, May 23 ; Sandheads, May 28 ; and St. Helena, August 25, the passage from Calcutta to Gravesend being a very tedious one of 138 days, caused chiefly by calms and adverse winds. The invalids, to the number of 2 sergeants and 98 rank and file, belonging to the (...), with 2 women and 5 children, reached Calcutta, and embarked on the 18th of May, under the command of Captain H.H.Moseley, 42d Highlanders, and Lieutenant G. Taylor, 53d Regiment, and in medical charge of Dr. Brown. The following officers came home as passengers-viz., Lieutenant W.S.C. Standish, formerly of the 7th Hussars (...). During the voyage a great deal of sickness prevailed on board, and one officer, Lieutenant G. Haynes, 7th Hussars, whowas invalided home, and 14 men died.”
Frederick Myddleton West served in the 7th Hussars as a Cornet (2nd Lt) between 1848 and 1853, his brief career overlapping with that of George Henry Haynes, when the latter was Regimental Sergeant-Major. It seems fairly likely therefore that he maintained contact with Haynes and gifted this sword in 1855 when Haynes received his commission.
The sword is in excellent condition with only some very minor stains to the 34 3/4 inch blade, which is bright and in good polish, and some very small nicks to the edge. The blade etching is also in excellent condition, including the inscriptions "G. H. 7th HUSSARS" and "THE GIFT OF F.M. WEST ESQre." and the VR cypher. The blade is firm in the hilt and the tang peen has clearly been tightened during the service life of the sword. The hilt is bright and the shagreen and grip wire are in very good shape. Together with its scabbard.
