Gun: 10cm (4in) x 25cm (9.8in) x 14.5cm (5.7in)
Overall: 17cm (6.7in) x 26.5cm (10.5in) x 18cm (7.2in)
Silver. Table Cigar lighter modelled as a Ordnance BL 12-pounder 6cwt breechloading horse artillery gun, the barrel engraved with the badge of the 2nd Life Guards fitted with a wick rising from the top of the barrel from a reservoir of lighter fuel soaked cotton within; the wheel rims engraved ‘To Officers 2nd Life Guards 1896’ and ‘Major F. Eustace . Captain C.E. Goulburn Lieut R.F. Ellice, Lieut C.B. Levita, Lieut G.C. Fordyce-Buchan. Maker’s mark of H.S. Brown & Co, London. Hallmarked London 1896. Raised on its original (removable) base.
The donors of the present cigar lighter appeared in the ‘The Navy and Army illustrated’ of 10 July 1896, viz - ‘Officers of D Battery RHA. The battery in its original form was formed in 1793 and served with distinction throughout the Napoleonic Wars. In 1816 it was disbanded and reformed as "F" battery in the 1840's. It made a great reputation for itself in the Indian Mutiny, particularly at Lucknow, where on one occasion (at Secundra Gunge) The officers and men left their guns and fought as cavalry. It also served in Afghanistan. The officer commanding the battery is Major F W J Eustace (centre) under who are a captain and three lieutenants.’
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The RHA’s 12-pounder 6 cwt gun replaced the universal Ordnance BL 12-pounder 7cwt in 1894, after the former proved overly complicated and too heavy to manoeuvre in support cavalry. The 6 cwt version’s service career however was short lived owing to the introduction of Cordite which enabled the 12-pounder to fire a heavier shell up to 15lb. A 14-pound shell was adopted and the gun became a ’15-pounder’ from 1895.