Pouch belt prickers and chain, 3rd Madras Cavalry, 1885 (c)

Silver, hallmarked 1884-1885, prickers in the form of arrows on a hexagonal plate, with chain and cinquefoil boss.

By this period, the prickers were an ornamental feature. Originally they were issued to light cavalry to disable enemy cannon. The pricker would be hammered into the cannon's touch-hole so that it could not be fired.

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.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.