December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
The Caribbean equivalent to an engraved powder horn, as a soldier's souvenir of service during the 18th and early 19th centuries. Commonly called "bugbears", these are carved or engraved coconut shells that were typically used to contain liquor, although there is some indication they also served as flasks for gunpowder on some occasions. The mouthpiece usually has a face carved around it, with mother of pearl eyes sometimes inset, as on the 63rd Foot bugbear in this lot. This shell is 5 1/4 inches long, with a circumference of 12 inches. Carved around the shell is the soldier's name "H. Woodgate" and regiment "LXIII", along with depictions of a breadfruit plant, a warship, and a fort. There is a strung bugle device flanked by "63" and "LI", indicating that the owner served in the Light Infantry Company of the 63rd Regiment of Foot. The 63rd served in the West Indies during most of the Napoleonic period, returning to Britain in 1816. Woodgate appears in the returns of the regiment for this entire period and information on his service accompanies the bugbear. [WITH] A bugbear belonging to a soldier in the 35th Regiment of Foot, 3 1/2 in. L x 7 in. circumference, dated "ANTIGUA 6 MAY 1822" in a circular band around the mouth. Other motifs found on this bugbear include "C HODGES / GRIII" / [regimental device, being an 8-point star with '35' inside]", the stern of a warship, a tower over the word "PEACE" and a drawing of a soldier above the word "PLENTY". CONDITION: 63rd bugbear is very good, but the mother of pearl inset missing from one eye; the 35th bugbear has a small crack in it, otherwise very good.