Sabretache badge, 3rd Regiment of Madras Lancers, 1895

Silver, hallmarked 1895, sabretache badge with regimental number in Roman numerals, 'III', superimposed with the initials, 'ML', on crossed lances, surmounted by an Imperial Crown, with scroll below bearing the battle honours, 'Seringapatam', 'Mysore', and 'Mahidpore'.

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.

The 3rd Madras Cavalry was originally raised in 1784 as the 2nd Regiment of Madras Native Cavalry. In 1786 the regiment was disbanded following a mutiny. Loyal elements of the unit were reformed as the 3rd Regiment of Madras Native Cavalry in 1788, retaining the title until 1819 when the word 'Native' was removed from its title. In 1819 the 3rd Regiment of Madras Light Cavalry became the 3rd Regiment of Madras Lancers. In 1901 reform of the Indian Army led to a change in title, to the 3rd Madras Lancers. Further reforms in 1903 led to the renumbering of the regiment as the 28th Light Cavalry. In 1922 the regiment was renumbered again, becoming the 7th Light Cavalry. In 1947 the regiment became part of the Indian Army.

The battle honours 'Seringapatam' and 'Mahidpore' recognise the unit's service in the 4th Mysore War (1799) and 3rd Maratha War (1816-1819) respectively.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.