Sabretache badge, 19th Regiment of Bengal Lancers, pre-1901

Silver badge in the form of the regimental number, in Roman numerals, 'XIX', over crossed lances, with a scroll below bearing the unit's original title, 'Fane's Horse'.

A sabretache is a type of satchel strapped to a cavalry or horse artillery officer's belt. Although originally a container for orders and maps, by the mid-nineteenth century most sabretaches had a purely decorative role.

Lieutenant Fane (1828-1885) of the Madras Native Infantry raised an irregular cavalry unit for service in China in 1860. The recruits were taken from regiments disbanded in the aftermath of the Indian Mutiny. The new regiment largely consisted of Sikhs, Pathans and Punjabi Moslems as caste restrictions prevented many Hindus serving overseas. Fane's unit took part in the capture of the Taku Forts and on returning to India in 1860 became the 19th Bengal Cavalry (Lancers).

In 1861, the regiment became the 19th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry, and four years later 'Lancers' was added to its title. In 1874 it became the 19th Regiment of Bengal Lancers, being renamed in 1901 the 19th Bengal Lancers (Fane's Horse). The regiment served on the Western Front and in the Middle East during World War One (1914-1918).

Following its amalgamation with the 18th King George's Own Lancers in 1921, the regiment became the 19th King George's Own Lancers. The regiment served in Burma and Malaya in World War Two (1939-1945). When India was partitioned in 1947 it became part of Pakistan's armed forces.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.