EL6254 - A top quality presentation sword for a young officer who joined the Bombay Horse Artillery in 1857. The maker of the sword is not marked, but the proof slug may be associated with Garden. The imposing 35 1/4 inch blade with extra detailed etching of excellent quality, bearing the dedication to A. T. Wallace from T. Donnelly, with Bombay Artillery also etched.
Alexander Thomas Wallace was the youngest son of William Baillie Wallace Esq of Dublin (a solicitor). He commissioned from Addiscombe into the Bombay (Horse) Artillery as 2nd Lieutenant on 12 Dec 1857, was promoted Lieutenant on 27 August 1858 and was announced as due to be promoted to Second-Capt on 16 March 1866 (this was later cancelled due to his death). He died on 9 April 1866, age 27, at Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal, which was his uncle Thomas Brooke's home.
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Donnelly, formerly Bombay Infantry, was on the staff at the Royal Indian Military College at Addiscombe when Wallace graduated. Presumably either a connection had formed between the two, or perhaps Wallace was awarded the sword for some achievement. Donnelly had enjoyed a long career in the HEIC, commissioning in 1819 into the Bombay Infantry. He had retired on 5 July 1849 and ended up as a staff member at the college in Addiscombe.
A lovely sword, with great provenance and research potential. In good condition, if perhaps in need of some gentle cleaning. The scabbard has light pitting, but the sword itself is very good, with an even patina. All the shagreen and grip wire present. The hilt firm on the tang with only a tiny bit of movement in the guard. A real sleeper.
