United Kingdom. A Royal Artillery Officer's Sabretache, c.1885

Obverse with the insignia and accompanying text in gold-coloured bullion wire, in very high relief, illustrating the Royal coat-of-arms, a shield in the centre bearing the Latin inscription "HONI SOIT QUI MAY Y PENSE" (Shame on him who thinks evil), flanked by a lion at the left and a unicorn at the right, surmounted by a lion standing upon the Victorian crown, a ribbon banner inscribed in Latin "DIEU ET MON DROIT" (God and my Right) fronting a wreath of roses and thistles below the shield, an arched ribbon banner incorporating maroon felt background and inscribed with the beginning of the Royal Artillery motto "UBIQUE" above an open-ended wreath of laurel leaves and oak leaves with acorns, an artillery piece in bronze gilt below the wreath, with a flowing ribbon banner incorporating maroon felt background and inscribed with the remainder of the Royal Artillery motto in Latin "QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT" (Everywhere That Right And Glory Lead), the ends of the ribbon banner backed by leafing at either end, on a black felt base, trimmed along all four edges in a 38 mm wide band of patterned fine gold-coloured bullion wire. Reverse in black leather with three loops along the top edge for attachment, the centre one housing a brass D-ring, the other two loops having split and are missing their D-rings. Overall, it measures 200 mm along the top x 265 mm along the bottom x 307 mm in height, exhibiting peeling away of the soiled patterned fine gold-coloured bullion wire, along with edge wear, exposing the underlying stiff-framed support, along with scuffing and peeling of the leather backer. A quality crafted item. Fair.