December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
The rank of "colour sergeant" was first established in British infantry regiments by royal warrant in 1813 to reward long-serving sergeants. A single colour sergeant was appointed to each company and served as the senior NCO and a handsome badge for colour sergeants was introduced at the same time, this being an extremely rare survivor from the Napoleonic War era and measures 5 1/2 x 3 7/8 inches. It consists of a scarlet cloth ground backed by linen, upon which is worked two crossed swords over the 1801 "Union" standard of Britain, surmounted by the crown of King George III. We know that this particular example was worn by a colour sergeant in the 25th Foot, a Lowland Scottish regiment, as it bears crossed sprays of Highland thistle at the bottom with "MINDEN" above, over the staff of the flag, both worked in silver embroidery. The thistle was the regiment's traditional device and the 25th received a coveted battle honor and title awarded to it by the King, for breaking the French center during the battle of Minden in 1759. CONDITION: approximately 15% of the scarlet cloth ground has been lost to insect graze, exposing the original linen backing below, but the embroidery work is in very good condition for its age; not examined out of the frame, as mounted when purchased in 2004.