Original Item: One of a Kind. This is just lovely, a well carved wood Ram's Horn Snuff Mull with sterling silver hinged lid engraved Cap’t H. Ramsden 42nd Reg., with the initials H.R. engraved on the top. Measures approximately 2 1/2” x 2 5/8” x 1 1/2”, and is in really great shape. The lid still closes securely, and has a lovely worn look. The lid still functions well.

The 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot was a Scottish infantry regiment in the British Army also known as the Black Watch. Originally titled Crawford's Highlanders or the Highland Regiment (mustered 1739) and numbered 43rd in the line, in 1748, on the disbanding of Oglethorpe's Regiment of Foot, they were renumbered 42nd, and in 1751 formally titled the 42nd (Highland) Regiment of Foot. The 42nd Regiment was one of the first three Highland Regiments to fight in North America.

The 1st battalion embarked for Portugal in August 1808 for service in the Peninsular War. At the Battle of Corunna in January 1809 it was a soldier of the 42nd Highlanders who carried the mortally wounded General Sir John Moore to cover, and six more who carried him to the rear, but only after he had witnessed the victory in which the stout defense of the Black Watch played a major part. Moore's army was evacuated from Spain and the 1st Battalion of the 42nd Highlanders went with them.

The now single battalion 42nd fought at the chaotic Battle of Quatre Bras on 16 June 1815 under Lieutenant-colonel Sir Robert Macara, who was killed by French lancers. The 42nd was one of four battalions mentioned by Wellington in despatches after the battle. Two days later at the Battle of Waterloo, the 42nd and also the 2nd/73rd Highlanders, which was later to become the new 2nd Battalion, Black Watch, were both in some of the most intense fighting in the battle.

A very fine Snuff Mull named to an Officer on whom no research has yet been made that we can find. He most likely served with the regiment in the very early 19th century. We found a couple of men with the name and rank, but no connection to the 42nd Regiment. Could certainly use some more research.

Comes ready for further research and display.