This early example of the sabretache worn by British officers was worn in full dress. It is of black leather with a dark blue cloth face, having silver embroidery and a silver lace surround of Artillery Wave pattern. The 3 and the initials BLC are liberally embellished with foliated flourishes. DELHI was the first battle to earn them an honour, fought in Sep 1803. The two lower honours are LASWAREE, fought in Nov 1803 and BHURTPORE, fought in Jan 1826. The latter was awarded on 30 May 1826 but the earlier two honours were awarded later on 23 Feb 1829. So the sabretache dates after that. The battle honour for Deig (13 Nov 1804) is not included. This may be because Deig did not involve the cavalry so much, whereas the other three battles brought the 3rd BLC a measure of glory, and casualties.
The sabretache measures 13.15in high by 7.15in wide at the top and 10.75ins wide at the base. It belonged to Brevet-Major J Loftus Tottenham who joined the 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry in 1821 and died in Ferozepore in May 1847. He was acting as Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Punjab Division.
