Dominic Winter Book Auctions
Lot 132
* Royal Presentation Sword from HRH Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) to General Sir Dighton Probyn, VC. A General Officer’s pattern mameluke style presentation sword, the 83cm (32ins) curved unfullered blade by Henry Wilkinson of Pall Mall, London, etched on upper side “FROM H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G., G.C.S.I. INDIA 1875-76” and on the other side “TO MAJOR GENERAL SIR DIGHTON PROBYN, KC.S.I., C.B., V.C.” above the arms of the Prince of Wales with his initials AE and beneath those the monogram DMP, the blade numbered on the back 19814, the hilt is of heavy quality cast brass with applied silver devices of the Prince of Wales crest on the front langet and his initials AE on the other, the grips are of ivory fastened by engraved gilt bolts. The scabbard is of plated steel with three ornate cast gilt brass mounts, the upper two mounted with silver devices in the form of the Prince’s arms on the upper side and on the other the badge of the Order of the Star of India. The sword retains its original gilt and red sword knot and a black oil cloth outer carrying case lined with chamois leather. The sword is in excellent general condition: there is some light pitting to the scabbard and three small fixing screws are missing from the scabbard mounts. Although a sword similar to the standard military pattern for a General Officer this one is of superior quality and far more decorative, specially commissioned by the Prince of Wales (later to be King Edward VII) for presentation to Probyn after he had accompanied the Prince on his Royal Tour of India in 1875-76. Dighton Macnaughtan Probyn was born in 1833 and, after early service on the Trans-Indus Frontier he served in the 2nd Punjab Cavalry during the Indian Mutiny. He distinguished himself for gallantry throughout the campaign but especially at the battle of Agra where he led an important cavalry charge. The despatch mentioned “only a few of the gallant deeds of this brave young officer” for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. After assuming command of the cavalry regiment which adopted his name (Probyn’s Horse) he commanded the 1st Sikh Irregular Horse in China in 1860 and was in the Umbeyla Campaign of 1863. His close royal connections continued and Probyn was variously Equerry, Comptroller and Treasurer of the Prince of Wales’ Household and, after the death of Edward VII, Comptroller of the Household for the widowed Queen Alexandra at Sandringham. Mentions of Probyn will be found in Recollections of My Life by Surgeon General Sir Joseph Fayrer [William Blackwood, Edinburgh 1900] who was also in the Prince’s suite on his India tour. Together with Sir Sam Browne they were knighted by the Prince at a Chapter of the Order of the Star of India at Allahabad in March 1876. The appearance of Probyn’s knighthood on the sword indicates that it may have been presented on that occasion or shortly afterwards. His spectacular group of decorations and medals was sold at auction in London in 2005. This unique sword is a magnificent royal token of affection and respect for a gallant soldier whose services have long been recognised in both Britain and the sub-continent. The name of his regiment, Probyn’s Horse, still survives in the title of the senior cavalry regiment in the present day Army of Pakistan. (1)
