the ebony handle of baluster form, to a knopped stem, with silver gadrooned collar, the oval bloodstone matrix engraved with a banner inscribed HOSPITAL above numerals 42, flanked by sprays of thistles

(Length: 87mm (overall), matrix: 20mm x 16mm)

Note: Although the exact origin of this seal remains unknown it seems possible that it is connected with the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot, latterly, The Black Watch, and was for one of their hospitals built up around or after the many important battles. Some of their campaigns and postings were for many years so setting up infrastructure such as hospitals and equipping it with official paperwork, seals etc would have been standard practice and shows how important the hospitals were to the battalions. The displayed thistles are very like those seen on other military items and indeed can be seen on their cap badge. Although original ownership has been impossible to prove it does seem likely.