paul w

2.

I have the chance of purchasing this Victorian era Kings Royal Rifle Corps pillbox hat.It comes in a hat tin with the Royal coat of arms embossed on top which has an accompanying label.Any comments on originality would be appreciatedc,cheers, Paul

There are no unit markings on the helmet Leigh just the tattoo stamps and makers label.The Aldershot military tattoo originated in 1894 when one was performed for a visit by queen Victoria and again in 1897 for her diamond jubilee.They were then an annual event till the end of the Boer war when apparently they were stopped.In 1922 I think, they were started up again and became a massive annual event with up to 5000 troops taking part in historical re enactments of events such as the burning of Moscow and the battle of Waterloo and displays by the massed bands.The regular army turned in it's home service uniforms on the outbreak of WW1 and apart from regimental bands and a few odds and sods these uniforms were never worn again.A lot of them ended up in the stores belonging to the aldershot tattoo and were issued out for the historic re enactments so you can see how the Qvc plate ended up on the 1912 helmet Stuart. The tattoos continued up to 1939 when WW2 put the mockers on it again.All proceeds from the tattoo went to military charities,after the second world war a military show was held annually in aldershot and still is, usually in June though not, unfortunately on the same scale as the old tattoo of the 1920s and 30s.Hope that's of some help, Paul

9.

9.

8.

7.

6.

5.

4.

3.

2.

Hi guys,I finally got the ORs Home Service Helmet I was after.Its WD stamped for 1912 and has a Compton and sons label for the same date it also has stamps for the Aldershot Tatoo.The helmet is without a plate (at the moment) and looks like it had a Victorian plate fixed for a substantial period of time as you can see the outline on the front.The fittings are in good nick and all in all I'm very pleased with it,cheers, Paul

Thanks very much for posting those Mervyn,very nice.I've just ordered an 1888 bayonet and frog,I'll post pics when it arrives,cheers, Paul

Thanks for the comments guys.Mervyn,It was just a general question really mate,I dont have a great deal of experience with these items so wouldn't know what to look for in copies.The bayonet frog looks a little newer then the belt and I was wondering if you can tell from the method of manufacture (rivets,stiching etc)the period when they were produced,thanks again, Paul

4.

3.

2.

Guys,what do you think of this 1888 pattern Slade Wallace white buff leather belt and bayonet frog?Period made,later (post WW1) made or copies,cheers for your help, Paul

Thanks for posting those pics Stuart,could you post some with a larger view of the helmet itself,cheers, Paul

Stuart,the photo of the flash is from a Bosleys on line catalogue.Just for info the Duke of Wellingtons Regt were part of the 6th Division at the battle of Pardeburg (pardon the spelling if its wrong)among other engagements.In the 7th Div at the same time were the Kings own Scottish Borderers, could they be your jocks in the album?,cheers, Paul

Its from a Bosleys catalogue Stuart,cheers, Paul

Scottish Horse head dress

The flash could be DW,does look like a V though but that could be the quality of the pic.Attached pic found of Duke of Wellingtons Regt flash ,cheers, Paul

Guys,the difference between the rifle caps worn by the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and the Rifle Brigade is baffling me a bit.The cap I started the thread on has a green boss with a bugle surmounted by a crown.I think,as has been mentioned,that the plume might be a replacement as the colour should be black.The rifle cap shown by Leigh has a black boss with bugle device on it (no crown) but with black Rifle brigade plume.The KRRC wore a rifle cap with black boss with (at least at one stage)a black Maltese cross badge on it and red/black plume.So,have the caps shown had little 'additions' put on to make them more attractive to a potential buyer or did the regiments have different devices and plumes on their caps during different periods?Does anyone out there have a definative answer as to what these regiments wore on their Rifle caps?Cheers for your help, Paul