Thomas Del Mar - Arms & Armour

Medal with two clasps. In 1856 he was promoted to
Lieutenant Colonel and the following year he was appointed to
the Central India Agency. Despite having no European soldiers
Durand managed to hold out in the residency at Indore for
several weeks when the mutiny broke out in Delhi. He
achieved this by isolating the contingent troops and playing
them off against the native regulars. Inevitably this could not
last and Durand was driven out and retreated in the face of
overwhelming numbers. He escaped successfully concealing
his weakness with a show of force. He marched without loss
to Sehore and then to Hoshungabad where he held the
natural barrier of Nerbudda. He forced Woodburn’s hesitating
column and with it took a strong fort, gained three actions,
captured more than forty guns and dispersed and disarmed
forces far exceeding his own number. During the forced
marches in the hot sun his wife fell ill and died. For his
services during the mutiny Durand received a C.B. and was
promoted to Brevet Colonel. In 1861 he became Foreign
Secretary in India and in 1867 was promoted Major-General
and awarded K.C.S.I. In 1870 he was appointed Lieutenant-
General of the Punjab where, having inspected an outpost on
foot, he mounted an elephant to visit the town of Tank.
Durand’s howdah was crushed against the roof of a gateway
and he fell to the ground, dying the following day. The Royal
Engineers have founded a medal which is awarded annually in
his honour.
£2000-2500
458
VARIOUS OWNERS
458
AN 80 BORE TRANTER PATENT THIRD MODEL FIVE-SHOT
PERCUSSION REVOLVER RETAILED BY H.BECKWITH,
SKINNER STREET, LONDON, NO. 21701T, CIRCA 1863-68
with signed 4I in barrel engraved with scrolling foliage at
the breech and fitted with patent rammer on the left,
engraved frame stamped ‘HH’ on the left, double trigger,
chequered walnut butt, engraved steel trigger-guard and
butt-cap: in a fitted mahogany case lined in green baize,
the lid applied with trade label of W. A. Beckwith, complete
with accessories including Tranter’s patent brass bullet
mould, and Dixon & Sons copper flask
25.5cm; 10in
£1500-2000
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