A Victorian sterling silver presentation snuff box, Birmingham 1858 by Edward Smith

Of shaped rectangular form with incurved sides, the hinged lid raised by chased acanthus scroll thumbpiece. The lid with a shaped scroll cartouche engraved with a presentation inscription reading “Presented to David Gillam Sargent of the Queens own 4^th Light Dragoons by a few friends at Farnham & Aldershott as a slight token of the very high estimation they have formed of his private character Oct 1^st 1858”. All over with alternating engine turned and plain bands in various geometric motif patterns. Gilt interior Fully marked. Together with an ivory mounted pen knife with steel quill blades and a nickel quill cutter. The cutter section engraved Sargent Gillam LV. LD. The blades stamped ‘John Seller improved cutter’.

Snuff box length – 8.6 cm / 3.45 inches

Weight – 148 grams / 4.76 ozt

Pen knife length (closed) – 9.4 cm / 3.6 inches

David Joseph Gillam, born in Montrose, he rode in the Charge of the Light Brigade. He was subsequently wounded at Inkerman on 5^th November 1854. Returning to England after being invalided in March 1855, after time at Scutari. He died in Manchester on 29^th May 1866. Awarded the Crimean Medal by Queen Victoria on 18^th May 1855. A group portrait including Gillam circa 1855-6 by Cundall and Howlett is in the Royal Collection.