19th Century British Silver Plated Pewter Teapot Presented to the Color Sergeant of the 109th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Infantry)

The teapot is approximately 11 inches wide from the handle to the tip of the spout, with a height of approximately 6 inches. The teapot was made of silver plated pewter, and the touch marks on the base indicate production by the silversmith firm of James Deakin & Sons. The teapot exhibits rather elaborate engraving with a presentation of “PRESENTED by Major C.P. Forbes 109th Regt.” on one side, while the opposite side is engraved “To Colr. Sergt. J. Bowers, B. Company 109th Regt.”. MajorC.P. Forbes was Charles Pulteney Forbes who began his military career in 1858 as an Ensign (the rank of “Ensign” existed in the British Army as a junior officer, and in fact the Ensign of a Regiment usually was responsible for the regimental colors, suggesting that by the time he had reached the rank of Major, Forbes still felt an attachment to the unit colors and to the regiment’s Color Sergeant). Forbes was promoted from Ensign to  Lieutenant in 1860,; to Captain in 1865; to Brevet Major 1872; to Major in 1878; and to Lieutenant Colonel in 1880. Forbes can be found in the military records as receiving the half pay of a Colonel in 1885. The 109th Regiment of Foot saw service in India as the 3rd Bombay Infantry and then, subsequently, as the 109th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Infantry) on transfer to the British Army in 1862. The regiment returned to England in 1877 and it was later combined with the 100th Regiment of Foot in 1881. Since Forbes’ name is engraved as the presenter of the teapot with the rank of Major, it is then likely that the teapot was presented by Major Forbes to his Color Sergeant some time during the period of 1872 to 1880. The firm of James Deakin & Sons was active in Sheffield, England, from the period of 1866 to1936. The teapot has a nice uncleaned patina across its surfaces, with clear engraving of both the decorative patterns and of the presentations. The acorn style lid finial is toned with age and shows some typical hairline cracks from age. The base of the teapot bears markings which include the designation of “JD & S”. Overall the teapot is in very good condition and exhibits much character.