In their original boxes, 3 x The King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment ) silver spoons made by J. Manikrai & Sons Silversmiths in Camp Karachi.

'Camp' refers to the fact that it was actually a British Cantonment and commercial area in Karachi prior to partition in 1947 not a military camp per se. It was in the area around Saddar and Empress market and was full of jewellers and silversmiths serving the needs of British regiments stationed or passing through there.

The King's crown seen on these spoons was used during the reigns of Edward VII (1902-1910) through George V (1910-1936) to George VI (1936-1952). Surviving Manikrai pieces are almost all pre-partition therefore these spoons are pre-1947. with them being 935 silver this makes them very high purity silver alloy at 93.5% pure silver and the remaining 6.5% strengthening metals like copper.

The 'IV' on this spoon indicates it is the 4th Battalion of the King's Own. They were never permanently stationed in Camp Karachi but like many other regiments regularly passed through en route to operations in Mesopotamia, East Africa and the Persian Gulf in WW1 and the Middle East, Burma and East Africa in WW2. These spoons could have been made at any point from 1902-1947 but most likely during these wars.

They wouldn't pass an inspection in the Officer's Mess at the moment - definitely not shiny enough - but once polished up will be fabulous collector's pieces of particular interest to anyone associated with the modern day Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

What really adds value to this set is that they are 935 purity silver, non-British assayed, in their original boxes (scarce to find), a strong regimental connection, and a set of 3 rather than individual pieces.