Indian Medical Service attributed Victorian Officer's Sword....

Hammer

£300

Indian Medical Service attributed Victorian Officer's Sword. This example believed carried by Major General John Blackburne Smith CB., CIE. The sword is of the regulation pattern, the straight blade with etched decoration of a Crowned VRI cypher with is repeated to the gilt open guard. The blade is also etched with the name BLACKBURNE SMITH. The forte with the cutler's details of E. Thurkle. Housed in plated scabbard. Blade clean and bright, scabbard with age wear. (see lot 87 insignia & photos; 97 his belt; 179 plume etc) Major General John Blackburne Smith CB., CIE. was born in 1865 in Ireland and after qualifying as a Doctor joined the Army and in 1889 was serving as a Surgeon Lieutenant at the Royal Victoria Hospital Netley. He received promotion and at the outbreak of the Great War held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Wartime service would see him in Egypt and in 1915/16 at the Bombay Presidency General Hospital. Remaining in India he was appointed a CB 1918 and CIE in 1922. Promoted to the rank of Major General 1922 he held the post of President Medical Board India Office 1923 until his death on the 2nd November 1928