Bengal Lancers, officer’s 15mm gilt. circa 1896-1900

This general pattern for the Bengal Lanccrs was introduced in 1896 and worn briefly by some of the regiments but specific regimental patterns were introduced again around 1900. The 15mm officer’s gilt button, of the size worn on epaulettes, has the backmark HAWKES & Co. LONDON and the design of the BL monogram in script over crossed lances, surmounted by the imperial crown. It retains most of the original gilt with traces of old polish withinn the complicated  monogram. aug2/2

Viewing an old collection recently I noticed a few Bengal Lancer uniforms where this pattern and size appeared on great coats which also had some buttons of specific regimental pattern. Possibly suppliers of some patterns were being overwhelmed by the frequent changes of pattern in the last Victorian and first Edwardian years.