madras light cavalry

The black japanned skull with silver plated ornamentation in the form of a rayed helmet plate upon which sits the die stamped arms of the Honourable East India Company ( HEIC ) on either side of the arms in gothic script are the words 4th Regiment , Light Cavalry and below the royal arms are the battle honours for SERINGAPATAM and MAHIDPOOR granted to the regiment in 1820 and 1819 respectively in recognition for services in both these battles. Immediately above the royal arms on the rayed helmet plate are two small holes which support an elephant device with the battle honour ASSAYE below which was granted in 1803 , sadly whilst cleaning the helmet the fixing lugs supporting this device broke and are now being repaired and will eventually be reunited with the helmet.

Large Laurel leaf sprays are attached to each side of the helmet via correct pattern internal nuts on screw posts. The front and rear peaks are lined with old leather skiver and are edged with a silver plated binding. Internally it is clear to see that the helmet is an original example. On each side of the helmet are large silver plated lion head masks which support the chin scales which are lined on leather and finished on the underside with black velvet.

The tall comb supports a replacement red curled horsehair mane which completes the helmet from an aesthetic standpoint.

 a superb example of the magnificent HEIC “Roman“ pattern headdress to the Madras Light Cavalry.



A very fine watercolour portrait of Captain W.S. Ommanney of the 2nd Regiment of Madras Light Cavalry who were stationed initially at Jaulnah and then Kolapore before being ordered to Trichinoply. Ommanney appears to have joined the regiment in 1827 and is shown as on furlough in 1840. From the design of the lace on his collar it is clear that he is affiliated to one of the many regiments of Madras Light Cavalry that existed as part of the HEIC during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. His pose is one of confidence as he sits in the so called french grey and silver lace stable jacket.

Watercolour portrait of an officer in the Madras Light Cavalry circa 1830’s

The buff facings on the jacket sleeves and collar suggest that this individual was an officer in either the 3rd or 7th Madras Light Cavalry as they are the only two regiments to have had buff facings during this time. He is also shown wearing white linen trousers which were only permitted during summer. In his left hand he holds the distinctive “Roman” pattern 1822 pattern silver and black japanned helmet complete with falling red horse hair mane.

Although the uniform and body features have been painted slightly naively the face is very well executed and the overall appearance is pleasing. Mounted in a contemporary gilt and gesso frame measuring 11.5 x 9.5 inches. As can be seen from the attached images the frame is slightly damaged in places where the gesso has broken away from the frame.

Watercolour portrait of an officer in the Madras Light Cavalry circa 1830’s




The buff facings on the jacket sleeves and collar suggest that this individual was an officer in either the 3rd or 7th Madras Light Cavalry as they are the only two regiments to have had buff facings during this time. He is also shown wearing white linen trousers which were only permitted during summer. In his left hand he holds the distinctive “Roman” pattern 1822 pattern silver and black japanned helmet complete with falling red horse hair mane.

Although the uniform and body features have been painted slightly naively the face is very well executed and the overall appearance is pleasing. Mounted in a contemporary gilt and gesso frame measuring 11.5 x 9.5 inches. As can be seen from the attached images the frame is slightly damaged in places where the gesso has broken away from the frame.

1860 Madras Light Cavalry

An extremely rare and important, and remarkably complete uniform of a field officer of the 6th Madras Light Cavalry circa 1860 comprising, black beaver Albert pattern shako with silver embroidered edging to peak and silver oak leaf lace around the top, gold cord forming a plaited festoon in front, fine Maltese Cross plate mounted with MLC monogram and the battle-honour NAGPORE on a wreath in centre complete with its silver chin chain and dropping white swans feather plume in an ornate gilt socket.




A magnificent French Grey Full Dress Hussar jacket with buff facings, edged with silver "Austrian" pattern lace, massively corded with silver chain-gimp loops and five rows of white metal ball / half ball plain buttons, the sleeves ornately figured with silver Russia braid designating a Field rank officer, the ends of the collar bearing a crown in gold embroidery, gold cap lines with flounders and bullion tassel finials. Silver laced shoulder belt bearing silver fittings and pickers and chains (all HM London 1845), red leather pouch with engraved silver flap (HM en suite with shoulder belt fittings) bearing a VR cypher. A gold and crimson barrel-sash with rich bullion tassels, a narrow silver laced swordbelt with matching sword and sabretache slings, deep blue cloth overalls with a wide silver stripe down each outside seam. A blue leather sabretache with dark blue velvet face edged with silver lace and embroidered with reversed VR cypher, star bearing the numeral 6 and a scroll inscribed NAGPORE, complete with its baize-lined foul weather cover.