An officer’s pouch bearing the Imperial cypher of King Edward VII

The pouch of black leather with gold wire decoration to inner hinge is highly unusual in having the London retailer’s paper label of HAWKES & Co. pasted to the inside of the pouch box. we are not sure who would have worn this pattern of pouch but it could well have been a royal ADC who certainly wore it on their belt clasps and swords. Another clue to the original owner could be in the fact that the silver pouch plate and fixings are hallmarked Birmingham 1894 with maker’s mark B & P suggesting he had the cypher replaced on his existing pouch following the death of Queen Victoria, perhaps to be ready fro the 1902 Coronation and/or the 1903 Delhi Durbar. The silver would clean up magnificently we, as always, we leave that joy to the next owner.  apr12/2