A very rare Victorian silver hoof memorial inkwell to Lt. Francis Hervey Harford 10th Hussars. The base has a solid silver horse shoe and the top a fur cover opening to reveal the inkwell. There are three sets of matching hallmarks dating the piece to 1880, London. Thornhill & Co. makers, 144 Bond St. The piece in inscribed 'Bon Bon, 1st Charger, C.S.G. X. R. H. , In Memoriam F. H. H. March 31st 1879'
On the 31st of march in Afghanistan the 10th Hussars were involved in a tragic event crossing the Kabul river at Kala-i-Sak. Lt Harford, 46 N.C.O.s and men and thirteen horses were drowned in this disaster, which was subject of the famous poem by Rudyard Kipling. (below is a extract).
'Gawd 'elp 'em if they blunder, for their
boots'll pull 'em under,
By the ford o' Kabul river in the dark."
Rudyard Kipling
During the 19 century, farriers were required to remove a hoof from deceased horses as proof of death thus avoiding any suggestion of "black market" selling of horses.
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