Indian Army - Kolar Gold Fields (Infantry) Battalion Silver marked Spoon

An attractive and scarce Indian Army Auxiliary Forces silver tea soon. Marked Silver, and maker marked. Circa 11.3cm long.

Kolar Gold Fields are believed to be the second deepest gold mines in the world. Situated at a distance of approximately 120km from Bangalore.

The Auxiliary Force (India) (AFI) was a part-time, paid volunteer organisation within the Indian Army in British India. Its units were entirely made up of European and Anglo-Indian personnel.

The AFI was created by the Auxiliary Force Act 1920 to replace the unpopular British section of the Indian Defence Force, which had recruited by conscription. By contrast, the AFI was an all-volunteer force modelled after the British Territorial Army.


Unit history: 1903 formed as the Kolar Gold Fields Rifle Volunteers on 23rd January from a detachment of the Bangalore Rifle Volunteers. In 1917 became 43rd Kolar Gold Fields Battalion, on 1st April1920 redesignated on 1st October as the Kolar Gold Field Battalion (Infantry).

Their badge was a crossed pickaxe and hammer in circle superscribed "The Kolar Gold Field Bttn", all surmounted by crown and this is reflected in the design of the spoon.

Code: 53335