10th Madras Native Infantry - pre 1826

[gurkharifles]

I've just acquired this button and particularly pleased with it as according to the Gurkha Museum " no buttons of this design have been seen". The 10th Madras Native Infantry are the forbearers of the the 10th Gurkha Rifles. There is a section devoted to the 10thMNI in the Museum's book on the insignia of the 10thGR . There is a drawing of this button which differs from the other buttons illustrated as there is no battle honour to AVA - " This design is peculiar. There is no honour for AVA which occurs on all other pieces; nor is there a castle on the elephant; and the lettering shows ASSAYE and TENTH reading clockwise and REGT and AMBOOR reading anti- clockwise. No buttons of this design have been seen" I suspect that the buttons pre date the awarding of the battle honour of AVA - so pre 1826. (22mm - no makers mark ) Tim

[Wmr-RHB]

But you have seen it!

The museum will be jealous I assume.