Civil War Auction
Lot 226a:
Description
This named Scottish Highlander Black Watch Officer Busby belonged to Lt H.C. Berthon who died from Wounds received At Magersfontein South Africa. It has black ribbon rosette on front and black ribbon tally on left side with red, black and white checker board outer band. The black feather top has 4 plumes that drop to the neckline on back. The detachable tall red feather plume sticks in a small hole in front top under the black feathers. The interior has no manufacturers marker marks. The lining is coming undone in places and side buckle is present but leather has a break in it. The Busby is in very good original untouched condition and was packed in it’s tin canister for years with original 1899 British newspaper. Feathers have a flesh, clean look and feel. The sweatband has the period ink inscription ” H.C.W. Berthon Black Watch”. The tin case ha brass makers tag ” S. Gardener & Co No1 Clifford Street London” with the painted legend ” H.C.W. Berthon Esq The Royal Highlanders”. Case hard wear and age and has paint loss and dents with the hinged lid has became unsoldered from the hinged container rim.
Lt Herbert C.W. Berthon served in the ranks for 7 years and gained his commission as 2nd Lt. in the East Yorkshire Regt., Jan 1894 ; promoted Lt. Oct 1896 and transferred to the Royal Highlanders Oct 1897. He served with the Kimberly Relief Force under Lieut.-Gen Lord Methuen previous to being wounded at Magersfontein. The Battle of Magersfontein fought on December 11th 1899. This named and attributed busby is wonderful example of late Victorian British military headgear.
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