Sabretache badge, 1st Bombay Lancers, 1880-1901

Silver badge in the form of a unit monogram, 'BLC', within garter with the unit title, 'First Lancers', within wreath, over crossed lances with scroll below, bearing the battle honours, 'Punjab', 'Mooltan', 'Ghuznee' and 'Affghanistan'.

The 1st Bombay Lancers was originally raised as a light cavalry regiment in 1817. It saw service in the 1st Afghan War (1838-1842) gaining the battle honour for the Batttle of Ghuznee in 1839. It became the 1st Bombay Light Cavalry (Lancers) in 1842 and fought in the 2nd Sikh War (1848-1849), gaining the battle honour for Multan in 1849. The Regiment was renamed the 1st Bombay Lancers in 1862 and became the 1st (Duke of Connaught's Own) Bombay Lancers in 1890.

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.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.