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The Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment)

May 19, 2017 by 0 Comments
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The 62nd (Wiltshire) Regiment of Foot
The Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment)

The 99th (Lanarkshire) Regiment of Foot
1874 The 99th, or Duke of Edinburgh’s Regiment
1881 2nd Battalion, The Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh’s)

Letter Crests

“WILTSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

Officers 62nd , Wiltshire Regiment with Crown over 62 Centre (Ryan fig.94).

 

Other Rank’s 1855-1871
Photo needed (note incorrect outer ring)

“WILTSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

Wiltshire Regiment

Other Rank’s Outer Ring 1855-1871

Centre would be 62 as per the preceding example.

 

“LANARKSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

Officers 1855-1874  (Ryan Fig.144)

This particular example is interesting as the officer had scratched his name to the rear.

Charles Robert Gibson :- Ensign 5th April 1864, Lt 22 Feb 1868, Captain 9th Sept 1874, Retired 1877.

A photograph of Captain Gibson is shown on “The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum” website.

https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/collection/detail?id=26245&keywords=captain%20gibson

 

 

“LANARKSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

Officers 1855-1874  (Ryan Fig.144)

Slight variation in spacing of lettering in outer ring.

 

“LANARKSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

Officers 1855-1874  (Ryan Fig.144)

An early made example, with  fretted holes to the ends and variation in style of title font.

 

In 1874 title changed to “Duke of Edinburgh’s Regiment”, but with same Crown over 99 centre.
(Ryan fig.145) Photo needed

 

99th Other Ranks 1855-1871

“WILTSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

Two versions of the post 1881 officers waist belt clasps exist, the above lacks “THE” in the title (Ryan fig.226) I have observed a number of examples, so it must have be worn for some time.

“WILTSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

Another version without “THE”, but with different spacing of the title. The lettering of “WILTSHIRE” and “REGIMENT” have been squashed together.

 

 

“WILTSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

Post 1881 Officers with rounded ends also lacking “THE”.

“THE WILTSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

Post 1881 officers with “THE” in the title as per dress regulations.

 

“ROYAL WILTSHIRE” / “MILITIA”

Royal Wiltshire Militia Officers

 

“ROYAL WILTSHIRE” / “MILITIA”

White Metal.

 

“ROYAL WILTSHIRE” / “MILITIA”

Royal Wiltshire Militia Other Ranks

Centre possibly a Crown

 

“ROYAL WILTSHIRE”

Royal Wiltshire possible militia ?

 

“WILTSHIRE” / “RIFLES”

1st Wiltshire Volunteer Rifle Corps

 

“1st WILTSHIRE” / “RIFLE VOLUNTEER CORPS”

1st Wiltshire Rifle Volunteer Corps Other Ranks Buckle

 

“WILTSHIRE” / “RIFLES”

12th (Melksham) Wiltshire Rifle Volunteers

 

“WILTSHIRE” / “RIFLES”

14th (Wilton) Wiltshire Rifles

 

 

 

The Durham Light Infantry

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The 68th, or Durham Regiment, Light Infantry
1881 The Durham Light Infantry

106th
1839 The Honourable East India Company’s 2nd Bombay European Infantry Regiment
1858 The 2nd Bombay European Light Infantry
1862 The 106th Bombay Light Infantry
1881 2nd Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry

Letter Crests

“DURHAM” / “LIGHT INFANTRY”

Durham Light Infnatry Officers 1855-1881 (Ryan fig.194)

Another version is recorded with a Bugle rather than horn centre, and a title “THE DURHAM Lt Inf” over “REGIMENT”, described as possibly a prototype from the Gaunt collection. PHOTO NEEDED.

 

“BOMBAY LIGHT INFty”

106th Bombay Light Infantry Officers 1861-1881 (Ryan fig.156)

 

“BOMBAY LIGHT INFANTRY”

Bombay Light Infantry Other Ranks Pre 1871.

 

“DURHAM LIGHT” / “INFANTRY”

Durham Light Infantry Officers 1881-1901 (Ryan fig.231)

 

“DURHAM” / “LIGHT INFANTRY”

Durham Light Infantry Officers 1881-1901
Variation with “DURHAM” over “LIGHT INFANTRY”

 

“2nd DURHAM” / “REGIMENT”

2nd Durham Regiment of Militia Other Ranks.

Became 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in 1881.

 

“SUNDERLAND VOLUNTEER” / “RIFLES”

Sunderland Volunteer Rifles.

Became the 3rd (Sunderland) Volunteer Battalion of the DLI in December 1887.

 

This is possibly the centre for the Other Ranks buckle for the 3rd Corps (The Sunderland) Durham Rifle Volunteers, became the 3rd Volunteer Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry in 1887.

 

Durham Rifle Volunteers Other Ranks outer ring.

The Manchester Regiment

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The 63rd, West Suffolk, Regiment of Foot
1881 The Manchester Regiment

 
The 96th Regiment of Foot
1881 2nd Battalion, The Manchester Regiment
Letter Crests
“WEST SUFFOLK” / “REGIMENT”
63rd West Suffolk Regiment
Worn 1855-1881
Different style “3”
“WEST SUFFOLK” / “REGIMENT”
63rd West Suffolk Regiment Variation
Worn 1855-1881 (Ryan fig.95)
“WEST SUFFOLK” / “REGIMENT”
63rd West Suffolk Regiment
Other Rank’s Pre.1871
“REGIMENT”
96th Regiment
Worn 1855-1881(Ryan fig.139)
“THE MANCHESTER” / “REGIMENT”
The Manchester Regiment
Worn 1881-1901 (Ryan Fig.227)
“THE MANCHESTER” / “REGIMENT”
The Manchester Regiment
Worn 1881-1901 with a Sphinx higher up.
“THE MANCHESTER” / “REGIMENT”
The Manchester Regiment Volunteer Bn 1881-1901
“LANCASHIRE RIFLES” / “78”
78th Lancashire Rifle Volunteers, consolidated into 33 corps in 1863, 33rd (2nd Manchester) consolidated into 20th (2nd Manchester) Corps., became 5th (Ardwick) Volunteer Battalion Manchester in 1888.
“THE MANCHESTER REGt” / “6th VOLr BATTn”
6th Volunteer Battalion The Manchester Regiment
“ALWAYS READY”
Believed to be 33rd Lancashire Rifle Volunteers became 5th Volunteer Battalion The Manchester Regiment

Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Sutherland) Highlanders

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The 91st (Argyllshire) Highlanders
1872 The 91st (Princess Louise’s) Argyllshire Highlanders
1881 Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Sutherland) Highlanders

The 93rd Highlanders
1861 The 93rd (Sutherland) Highlanders
1881 2nd Battalion, Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Sutherland) Highlanders

Letter Crests

 

“ARGYLLSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

91st Argyllshire Regiment Officers.

(Ryan.135) Photo Needed.

 

“ARGYLLSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

91st Argyllshire Regiment Other Ranks Pre 1871.

 

“SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS”

93rd Sutherland Highlanders Officers.

Photo Courtesy of Broadsword Antiques, Glasgow

 

“SUTHERLAND” / “HIGHLANDERS”

93rd Sutherland Highlanders Officers.

Photo Courtesy of Broadsword Antiques, Glasgow

 

93rd Sutherland Highlanders Officers.

Photo Courtesy of Broadsword Antiques, Glasgow

 

“PRINCESS LOUISE’S” / “ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS”

Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) 1881-1890 Dirk plate.

 

“RENFREW” / “MILITIA”

Renfrew Militia Officers, became 4th Battalion the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 1881.

Another version of the clasp exists with a Crown across the feathers and “ich” and “dien” moved to the end of the ribbons.

 

“DUMBARTONSHIRE VOLUNTEERS”

Dumbartonshire Volunteers, without Rifles in title.

In White metal.

“DUMBARTONSHIRE VOLUNTEER RIFLES”

Dumbartonshire Volunteer Rifles.

In Brass.

 

3 different forms with changes in size of lettering and spacing.

 

Difference in loop size between the Dumbartonshire Volunteers and Dumbartonshire Volunteer Rifles clasps.

 

The head of elephant on the brass clasp is turned slightly so it appears larger, difference in legs, castle and other minor differences.

 

“TOUCH ANE TOUCH A”

3rd Stirlingshire (Falkirk) Rifle Volunteers Other Ranks

Toch Ane Touch A’ – Touch One Touch All

 

The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own)

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The 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot
1881 The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own)

The 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment of Foot
1876 The 77th (East Middlesex) Duke of Cambridge’s Own Regiment
1881 2nd Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own)

Letter Crests

 

“WEST MIDDLESEX” / “REGIMENT”

57th West Middlesex Regiment Worn 1855-1881 (Ryan Fig.90)

 

“WEST MIDDLESEX” / “REGIMENT”

57th West Middlesex Regiment Worn 1855-1881

Slight variation in Crown style, number style and in outer ring.

 

“WEST MIDDLESEX” / “REGIMENT”

57th West Middlesex Regiment Other Ranks Pre.1871

 

“EAST MIDDLESEX” / “REGIMENT”

East Middlesex Regiment

Worn 1855-1876?

(Ryan Fig.113)

 

“EAST MIDDLESEX” / “REGIMENT”

Worn 1876-1881 ? (Ryan Fig.114)

“EAST MIDDLESEX” / “REGIMENT”

Worn 1876-1881 ?, Variation in the style of the 7’s (Ryan Fig.115)

 

 

 

“EAST MIDDLESEX” / “REGIMENT”

A variation in the style of the “77”, no “ICH DIEN” but shows signs it would have originally had them and were likely lost during service wear as the other similar examples I have noted also show excessive service wear.

(Ryan Fig.115)

 

“THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE’S OWN”

The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment).

Worn 1881-1901 (Ryan Fig.225)

 

“THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE’S OWN”

The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment).

Worn 1881-1901, Variation in spacing of central device and number of leaves in the wreath. (Ryan Fig.225)

 

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE’S OWN”

The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment).

Worn 1881-1901, Variation in central device, support added for the “ICH DIEN”. (Ryan Fig.225)

 

“HAMPSTEAD” / “VOLUNTEER RIFLES”

Hampstead Volunteer Rifles, formed 1859, became A and B companies 3rd Middlesex in 1880.

 

“MIDDLESEX” / “RIFLE VOLUNTEERS”

3rd Middlesex Rifle Volunteers, became 1st Battalion of the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)

 

33rd Middlesex Rifle Volunteers (Tottenham) 2nd Admin Battalion

(became the Tottenham detachment (‘G’ Company) of the 3rd Middlesex Rifle Volunteers in 1877)

 

“THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGES OWN”

 

“THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGES OWN”

All white metal, 1st Volunteer Battalion formerly

The 3rd Middlesex Volunteer Rifle Corps.

 

“THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGES OWN” / “2nd V.B”

All white metal, 2nd Volunteer Battalion formerly The 8th Middlesex (South West Middlesex) Volunteer Rifle Corps. Blank battle honour scroll.

 

3rd Volunteer Battalion formerly The 11th (Railway) Middlesex Volunteer Rifle Corps – transferred to Royal Fusiliers 1890.

4th Volunteer Battalion (3rd VB from 1890) formerly the 17th Middlesex (North Middlesex) Volunteer Rifle Corps.

 

Fifth Royal Elthorne Middlesex / Militia

(Became the 3rd Battalion the Middlesex Regiment)

Silvered clasp overall including centre (now worn).

 

 

5th Royal Elthorne Middlesex Militia

(Became the 3rd Battalion the Middlesex Regiment) (Silver and Gilt Officers Version)

note “5th” rather than “Fifth” in title.

 

5th Royal Elthorne Middlesex Militia

(Became the 3rd Battalion the Middlesex Regiment) (Silver Officers Version)

note “5th” rather than “Fifth” in title.

 

 

Royal East Middlesex Militia (Became the 4th Battalion the Middlesex Regiment) (Officers Silvered Version)

 

Royal East Middlesex Militia (Became the 4th Battalion the Middlesex Regiment) (Officers Gilt Version)

 

Royal East Middlesex Militia (Became the 4th Battalion the Middlesex Regiment) Other Ranks Buckle

 

 

The Connaught Rangers

May 19, 2017 by 3 Comments

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The 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers)
1881 The Connaught Rangers

The 94th Regiment of Foot
1881 2nd Battalion, The Connaught Rangers

Letter Crests

“CONNAUGHT” / “RANGERS”

88th Connaught Rangers Officers 1855-1881 , centre Crown over 88
(Ryan fig.130)

94th Officers 1855-1881 (Ryan fig.136)

94th Other Ranks Pre.1874

 

“CONNAUGHT” / “RANGERS

Officers 1881-1901
Differs from Ryan fig.234 in that the Elephant lacks a blanket on its back. While I have seen more than a dozen examples like the above without a blanket, I have only seen one example with a blanket, with a much smaller Elephant compared to the others.

Variation of Elephants without a blanket.

 

“CONNAUGHT” / “RANGERS

Officers 1881-1901
(Ryan fig.234)

Much smaller elephant compared to normal with a blanket on its back. Several examples have been recorded.

(Photo courtesy of Mark Geernaert-Davies collection)

 

“CONNAUGHT RANGERS”

Officers 1881-1901
An extremely rare variation with the title around the outer ring, and with a small Elephant. It must have been worn very briefly.

 

Unusual Elephant with blanket

Ryan also shows an example with kings crown, 1901-1902?. Again shown with a blanket on the Elephants back.
(Ryan fig.235) PHOTO NEEDED

 

“SOUTH MAYO” / “MILITIA”

South Mayo Rifles Militia Other Ranks, became 3rd Battalion of the Connaught Rangers 31st July 1881.

The Princess Victoria’s (The Royal Irish Fusiliers)

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The 87th, The Royal Irish Fusiliers
1881 Princess Victoria’s (The Royal Irish Fusiliers)

The 89th Regiment of Foot
1866 The 89th (Princess Victoria’s) Regiment of Foot
1881 2nd Battalion, Princess Victoria’s (The Royal Irish Fusiliers)

Letter Crests

Worn 1855-1881 (Ryan fig.128)

Another version exists with a smaller eagle over a larger 87, (Ryan fig.129) PHOTO NEEDED

 

Two versions exist with Crown over 89 Centres,

One with outer rings of “REGIMENT” and a wreath (Ryan fig.131) and another with “PRINCESS VICTORIA’S REGIMENT” (Ryan fig.132)

PHOTOS NEEDED

Princess Victorias Regiment

Worn 1855-1881 (Ryan fig.133)

Princess Victorias Regiment. Mint tailors sample centre.

Worn 1855-1881 (Ryan fig.133)

 

89th Other Ranks Pre.1871

89th Other Ranks Pre.1871

Worn 1881-1901 (Ryan Fig.232)

Worn 1881-1901 (Ryan Fig.232)

Variation with large grenade flame and other minor differences.

 

Worn briefly 1881-1882? (Ryan Fig.233)

 

 

“ARMAGH” / “LIGHT INFANTRY”

Armagh Light Infanty Militia Officers Waist Belt Clasp.

In 1881 became 3rd Battalion Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers).

 

The York and Lancaster Regiment

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The 65th, or the 2nd Yorkshire North Riding Regiment
1881 The York and Lancaster Regiment

The 84th Foot, or York and Lancaster Regiment
1881 2nd Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment

 

Letter Crests

 

“2nd YORK NORTH RIDING” / “REGIMENT”

Officers 1855-1881 (Ryan fig.99)

Another version exists with a centre of Crown over 65.
(Ryan fig.98 Gaunt Collection)

 

“YORK & LANCASTER” / “REGIMENT”

Two versions may exist differing in the rose, one is all silver (may just be that the gilt has been worn away), the other silver but with a gilt centre (shown below).

Officers 84th 1855-1881 (Ryan fig.122)

 

“YORK & LANCASTER” / “REGIMENT”

Officers 84th 1855-1881

Manufacturer‘s reference/pattern card.

 

 

“YORK & LANCASTER” / “REGIMENT”

Officers post 1881 (Ryan fig.229)

As a side note this particular clasp in interesting as it is scratched to the rear 3 Y&L, KEY R E, March 9th 1900.

KEY R E is Robert Ellis Key. He joined the 3rd Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment,

2nd Lt 5 Jan 1901, Lt 15 Feb 1902, Capt 1 Apr 1910, Capt. R. E. Key retired to serve in the Spec. Res.

Was called back to serve during WW1, finally ending his service as Lt.Col in the York & Lancaster Regiment.

 

“YORK & LANCASTER” / “REGIMENT”

Officers post 1881

Variation with slight differences in spacing of lettering in the outer ring and in the rose.
(Ryan fig.229)

 

“THE YORK AND LANCASTER” / “REGIMENT”

Officers post 1881
(Ryan fig.230)
has “THE” and “AND” in the title.
Possibly only worn briefly.

 

“YORK AND LANCASTER” / “REGIMENT”

Volunteer Battalion 1881-1901, all white metal.
Photo needed.

 

“THIRD WEST YORK”

The Third West York Militia became the 3rd Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment in July 1881.

Otherwise known as the First Regiment of Militia and 3rd West York Light Infantry.

 

“DONCASTER VOLUNTEER” / “RIFLES”

Became 2nd Volunteer Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment in February 1883.

Blackened Brass.

 

“DONCASTER VOLUNTEER” / “RIFLES”

Variation, part of loop and flag absent.

White Metal, possibly Officers.

 

“HALLAMSHIRE RIFLES”

“Hallamshire Rifles”

The Hallamshire Volunteer Rifle Corps, formed 1859 at Sheffield.

As part of the Cardwell Reforms in 1881, 2nd (Hallamshire) West Riding Rifle Volunteer Corps linked to the Regular 65th and 84th Regiments.

In 1883, the 2nd (Hallamshire) West Riding became the 1st (Hallamshire) Volunteer Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment.

Exists in Brass and White metal.

 

The Royal Irish Rifles

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The 83rd Regiment of Foot
1859 The 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot
1881 The Royal Irish Rifles

The 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot
1881 2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles

Letter Crests

Officers Worn 1855-1859 (Ryan Fig.120)

 

Slight variation of the previous clasp converted to a brooch

Officers Worn 1855-1859 (Ryan Fig.120)

 

A version was worn 1859-1881 with the same centre of a Crown over 83, but with the new title “County of Dublin” / “Regiment”

(Ryan Fig.121) Photo needed.

The Centre of a County of Dublin clasp used as a stopper for an Inkwell.

Photo courtesy of KDM, The British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum.

 

83rd Other Ranks Pre.1871.

 

“ROYAL COUNTY DOWN” / “REGIMENT”

86th Royal County Down Regiment Officers as per dress regulation 1855 (Ryan Fig.126)

 

“ROYAL COUNTY DOWN” / “REGIMENT”

86th Royal County Down Regiment Officers (Ryan Fig.127)

Possibly only worn briefly,

 

 

“ROYAL COUNTY DOWN” / “REGIMENT”

86th Royal County Down Regiment Other Ranks pre 1871.

(Photo needed).

The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales’s)

May 19, 2017 by 0 Comments

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The 64th (2nd Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot
1881 The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales’s)

The 98th Regiment of Foot
1876 The 98th (The Prince of Wales’s Own) Regiment
1881 The 2nd Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales’s)

64th Letter Crests

98th Letter Crests

 

 

“2nd STAFFORDSHIRE” / “”REGIMENT”

64th 2nd Staffordshire Regiment, 1855-1872?

(Ryan Fig.96)

 

“2nd STAFFORDSHIRE” / “”REGIMENT”

64th 2nd Staffordshire Regiment, 1872-1881?

(Ryan Fig.97)

(Photo courtesy of the Mike Simpkins collection.)

 

“2nd STAFFORDSHIRE” / “”REGIMENT”

64th 2nd Staffordshire Regiment, 1872-1881?

Variation in size of knot and style and spacing of outer ring title. (Ryan Fig.97)

64th Other Ranks Pre.1871

(Photo courtesy of the Mike Simpkins collection.)

 

98th Regiment, worn 1855-1876

(Ryan Fig.142)

 

Worn 1876-1881

Centre would be Prince of Wales feathers above 98

(Ryan Fig.143) Photo Needed

“NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

Worn 1881-1901 (Ryan Fig.228)

“NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE” / “REGIMENT”

A scarce variation of the previous clasp with differences to the feathers, crown, scrolls. Construction of this non maker marked clasp is the same as Firmin marked clasps I’ve observed.

 

“KINGS OWN SECOND STAFFORDSHIRE” / “MILITIA”

2nd Battalion Kings Own Staffordshire Militia, Officers, became 3rd Battalion the North Staffordshire Regiment in 1881.

(Photo courtesy of the Mike Simpkins collection.)

 

“KINGS OWN 2nd STAFFORDSHIRE” / “MILITIA”

2nd Battalion Kings Own Staffordshire Militia, Officers, became 3rd Battalion the North Staffordshire Regiment in 1881.

(Photo courtesy of the Mike Simpkins collection.)

 

“THE KING’S OWN 2nd STAFFORD” / “MILITIA”

2nd Battalion Kings Own Staffordshire Militia, Officers, became 3rd Battalion the North Staffordshire Regiment in 1881.

(Photo courtesy of the Mike Simpkins collection.)