Mid 20th Century Army Physical Training Corps Presentation Decanter Stand

A highly unusual and particularly attractive mid-20th century Army Physical Training Corps (APTC) presentation decanter or bottle stand, finely turned in hardwood and mounted with seventeen individually engraved silvered shields. The centre of the stand is inset with the distinctive Army Physical Training Corps device of crossed swords beneath the Crown, set against the Corps’ traditional crimson and black striped colours. Arranged around the circumference are seventeen presentation shields, comprising one engraved to Capt. L. O’Dea and sixteen apparently commemorating Sergeant Instructors, identified by the prefix “S.I.”. Names which can be identified from the shields include: Capt. L. O’Dea S.I. J. Fyfe S.I. H. Lewis S.I. M. Morris S.I. C. Campbell S.I. C. Tofield S.I. D. Wink S.I. A. McLean S.I. F. Gregg S.I. D. Hyslop S.I. S. Harrison S.I. M. Swan S.I. M. Gibson S.I. A. Harvey S.I. P. Constantine The arrangement of a Captain together with a group of Sergeant Instructors strongly suggests that the stand was commissioned to commemorate an APTC instructors’ course, establishment staff, posting, retirement or mess presentation, quite possibly associated with the Army School of Physical Training at Aldershot. These personalised military presentation pieces were individually commissioned rather than commercially produced and consequently each is essentially unique. The presence of so many named Corps personnel gives this example particularly interesting research potential and may eventually allow the precise course or presentation for which it was made to be identified. The Army Physical Training Corps was known as the APTC from 1940 until 2010, when it was granted the Royal title and became the Royal Army Physical Training Corps. The timber has developed an attractive warm colour and patina, while the numerous engraved shields and striking central Corps badge make this an impressive decorative object in its own right. An excellent and highly individual piece of British Army and Army Physical Training Corps history, with particular appeal to collectors of regimental memorabilia, military presentation pieces and Army sporting history. PLEASE NOTE: The cut-glass decanter shown in the photographs is for display purposes only and is not included in the sale.