MARKINGS ON A LANCE HEAD 1868 PATTERN

Jim McDougall · 8th April 2019, 01:53 AM

There is no reason to think that 1930 is not a year, and while this is indeed a M1868 British head and shoe, these were actually superceded by an 1894 pattern which were different. However with India stores, the usual govt. stamps etc. were often not present with private contractors.

The stave on these was male bamboo approx. 12 ft. 5/8" but with difficulties in standardizing due to shortages in supply they actually made 7 head sizes and 4 shoe sizes.

While the lance was officially abolished in British service in 1927, they remained in use in India for many years later, even as parade items. I had the opportunity to visit Brig. Francis Ingall, the "Last of the Bengal Lancers" (his autobiography) where he told me of his charge of the 6th lancers near the Khyber in 1931.

"The British Lance", J.D. Chown, 'Canadian Journal of Arms Collecting", Vol.7, #3, Jan. 1974.

8th April 2019, 01:53 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	There is no reason to think that 1930 is not a year, and while this is indeed a M1868 British head and shoe, these were actually superceded by an 1894 pattern which were different. However with India stores, the usual govt. stamps etc. were often not present with private contractors. The stave on these was male bamboo approx. 12 ft. 5/8" but with difficulties in standardizing due to shortages in supply they actually made 7 head sizes and 4 shoe sizes. While the lance was officially abolished in British service in 1927, they remained in use in India for many years later, even as parade items. I had the opportunity to visit Brig. Francis Ingall, the "Last of the Bengal Lancers" (his autobiography) where he told me of his charge of the 6th lancers near the Khyber in 1931. "The British Lance", J.D. Chown, 'Canadian Journal of Arms Collecting", Vol.7, #3, Jan. 1974.