Crimean War: Share Any Original Militaria

[GCCE1854]

Starting a thread for everyone to share any photos/finds of all types of militaria left from the Crimean War. Since there is not a plethora of stuff left from this period, this can include everything and anything that once belonged to or was used by a Crimean Soldier -- uniforms, helmets, caps, badges, buttons, letters, medals, weapons, etc. 

 

It's always so much nicer to see some real items when researching a period like this, so let's share some photos (from your own collection or anything you can find).

 

Just found this amazing grouping that is not like anything I've ever seen before. "A Framed Tableau" of articles belonging to Sergeant Major Anthony Robert Talbot of the Coldstream Guards. This was sold by Gorringe's Auction in the UK on 03 Dec 2019, which is why the watermark on the photo. Items included "uniform badges, together with his epaulettes and a braidwork sash, related contemporary newspapers and later correspondence and photograph".

 

 

 

[GCCE1854]

Quite a fine example of a four-clasp Crimea Medal. This was awarded to Private Henry Woolven of the Grenadier Guards, a member of the 3rd Battalion who was killed in action in the Right Flank Company's celebrated defence of the Colours following the epic struggle to capture - and hold - the Sandbag Battery. 

 

 

This medal was listed on Spink: https://spink.com/lot/18002000057

[GCCE1854]

Colt .31 Calibre Pocket Revolver and case. This belonged to Lt.-Colonel Hon. John Constantine Stanley of the Grenadier Guards. He was born in 1837 and died in 1878.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The revolver and case were auctioned by Antony Cribb in November 2018:

https://bid.antonycribb.com/m/lot-details/index/catalog/3/lot/313?url=%2Fm%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F3%3Fpage%3D1%26view%3Dgrid%26key%3Dcrimea%26sale%3Dundefined%26catm%3Dany%26order%3Dorder_num%26xclosed%3Dno%26featured%3Dno

 

This photo shows Stanley in the years following the Crimean War:

[GCCE1854]

An original Crimean-era Forage Cap that belonged to General Sir John Alexander Ewart. He was commander of the 6th company of 93rd Sutherland Highlanders at Balaklava. The cap is now in a private collection as seen here: http://www.themilitarygentleman.com/ProdDetails.asp?Id=375&f=ProdList.asp|prev=true

 

 

And here is a daguerreotype picture of the General from a similar time period (picture is from the collection of the National Gallery of Scotland).

 

[GCCE1854]

I shared this in the Coldstream Guards militaria thread, but as real boots dating from the Crimean War are rather rare thought it would be good to post in here as well. This is a pair of worn dark brown leather ankle boots marked "Coldstream Guards, 1856". Half boots like these were adopted by the British Infantry (rather than shoes) in 1823. They were not made with a left and right foot design, allowing the wearer to alternate which boot was worn on which foot to spread wear evenly. They also came without holes for the laces, and the wearer punched holes himself to put the laces in a comfortable spot. It wasn't until 1850 that the boots were made with a right and left foot, as seen on this pair (now part of the National Army Museum collection).

 

 

[GCCE1854]

This is a small cloth purse carried by Private Frederick Newman (1828-1854). He served with the 97th Regiment of Foot from 1844 until 1853. Most of his career was spent in the Mediterranean, Jamaica and North America. He was a Hospital Sergeant from 1849 and went to the Crimea in November 1854. Sadly, he died of fever the following month.

 

 

[Will M]

Norfolk Regt, 9th Regt of Foot, a Wilkinson sword dated to 1855. A Captain in the Crimea, Henry John Wilkinson. He was an ameteur illustrator that drew pictures during the Crimea War. Was at the siege of Sevastopol. Fenton took a photo of him on horseback.

[Will M]

An 1855 photo of Capt. Henry John Wilkinson. Later he was with the 1884 Nile Expedition. Retired a Col. in 1887.

[GCCE1854]

@Will M That's a truly beautiful sword! And what a great history to go with it. Are those the battles he was in that are engraved on the blade? I suppose there was no choice for Captain Wilkinson but to have a Wilkinson sword.

I was looking up his art work, and he was quite prolific. It seems that a good amount of his art was also used for engravings appearing in The Illustrated London News. 

 

The National Army Museum owns an original watercolour of Truce for Burial of the Dead Before Sebastopol, 24 March 1855.

https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1972-07-6-62-1

 

 

 

[Jack the Collector]

On 8/7/2021 at 12:16 PM, GCCE1854 said:

Starting a thread for everyone to share any photos/finds of all types of militaria left from the Crimean War. Since there is not a plethora of stuff left from this period, this can include everything and anything that once belonged to or was used by a Crimean Soldier -- uniforms, helmets, caps, badges, buttons, letters, medals, weapons, etc

Was surfing a book dealer for Military reference works and stumbled across this.....you may know o it already,but if you don't here it is.

 

https://www.schifferbooks.com/crimean-memories-artefacts-of-the-crimean-war-3931

[mikie]

This is a very interesting topic.  One not well covered here.  The only item I have with a Crimea connection is this cut signature of Lord Raglan.  I have no idea if it is genuine or not.  I got it at least 20 years ago.  I can't recall now, but I seem to think it was part of a bundle of old paper odds and ends I picked up somewhere.  

[Jack the Collector]

Something I have in the misc. military stuff.This is French so if the Mod thinks this is not the place for this feel free to delete it.It is (if my french translation is accurate) a discharge for a Crimean war vet.

CONGE DEFINITIF - FINAL LEAVE/ DISCHARGE DOCUMENT

to   VIDAL DOUCE, chasseur 2nd class, 4th Battalion Chasseurs a Pied ( Foot Chasseurs), 

Crimea July 1855- to May 1856.

Joined army March 1855, discharged December 1861

In France, the corps des chasseurs à pied is a subdivision of the infantry weapon in the French Army . This light infantry corps created by Ferdinand-Philippe Duke of Orleans from 1837 is made up of existing and dissolved units sharing its traditions, wearing its blue outfit and recognizing itself through the unique flag of the hunters symbol of their unity. and the cohesion of this elite body.

TE 4TH CHASSUERS ( BCP ) were attached to the 5th Division

[GCCE1854]

Catching up on all the cool responses to the thread after having had some serious computer issues!

 

@Jack the Collector That is a very neat piece. Wow! The handwriting is beautiful. Have you been able to make out the soldier's name who was discharged?

Also, thanks for the link to the book. I have only just found references to it. Looks amazing!

 

@mikie Fabulous piece. Far be it from me to verify anything, but it does look like his usual signature. Here is a piece of a condolence letter written by Raglan after the Battle of Inkerman -- and the signature certainly looks the same:

 

Raglan was a very interesting gent, maybe I'll see about starting a post about him!

[GCCE1854]

To add another item here -- this is a nice example of a wooden water canteen from the Crimean era, though the British soldier's issued canteen changed very little from the days of the Napoleonic Wars up until a new design in 1860.

 

 

 

 

 

This particular one was listed as retaining 99% of the original blue painted finish -- also featuring a clear Board of Ordnance issue stamp and date: 1854 GC.

 

 

[Jack the Collector]

7 hours ago, GCCE1854 said:

Have you been able to make out the soldier's name who was discharged?

It's there ....my typing structure is bad in that post....oopsy. His name is  VIDAL DOUCE

[GCCE1854]

16 hours ago, Jack the Collector said:

It's there ....my typing structure is bad in that post....oopsy. His name is  VIDAL DOUCE

Right! It is there. How could I miss that . . . I think it was my brain structure that was having the issue yesterday.

[GCCE1854]

Thought this was a pretty cool piece! One of the wooden signs that would have been in a British camp area. It was brought home by Cornet John Gibsone of the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons. He arrived in the Crimea in July 1855. The sign is now in the NAM collection.

 

[GCCE1854]

And one more interesting piece that seems really neat! A silver Communion set used by Rev. William Whyatt, curate of St. Peter's (Leeds) who was on of the appointed Chaplains to the Forces. He was sent to the Crimea at the beginning of 1855. Sadly, by 17 Feb 1855, he was taken sick and put on board a Hospital ship, eventually recommended to proceed to the hospital at Scutari. But one month later, on 17 Mar 1855, he died of fever while still on board the Herefordshire. 

 

 

This set is now in the NAM collection. The communion plate is inscribed underneath: 'This service was used by the Revd William Whyatt ... as Chaplain to the 2nd Division... in the Crimea ... presented as a mark of respect, by his Mother in Law, Mrs Sarah Lyon, to the Revd Richard Tonge MA, Curate of St Luke's, Cheetham, 7th March 1859. St Luke 11c.2v.'

[GCCE1854]

I just remembered this interesting photo of a knitted "Welsh Wig" that was made for a Crimean soldier. For the life of me cannot remember where I found it, though, obviously, this is in a museum collection somewhere. Apparently, it was a big homefront movement for women in Britain to knit wool caps like this that could be sent over to the soldiers in the Crimea. This style can even be worn under a hat.

 

[GCCE1854]

Found a really cool story last night and had to share it. Crimean War items don't just turn up everyday, but they're still out there waiting to be found!

A gent called David Grant in Brixham, Devon, was fixing an antique Writing Box that had belonged to his grandfather. Apparently, the box had belonged to the family of Armourer Sergeant Edward Webb (93rd Sutherland Highlanders Regt), because the hidden drawer area was filled with three of the Sergeant's medals, his picture, a lock of hair and a watch fob dating from his retirement from the Army.

 

The desk and items were auctioned in September 2022, and the auction house published the details across the UK in hopes that a descendant or relative would come forward. I can't find anything relating to the sale, so I'm not sure if a family member was found or if these are now in a collection.

What a remarkable find, and so fabulous to think of them having been saved in the little writing desk in that special way.