Hammer

£540

Irish Royal North Down Rifles Militia Victorian Officer pre 1881 pouch belt plate. Fine rare silvered crowned oval pierced title strap set on domed backplate; centrally Maid of Erin Harp over shamrock sprays. Two screw posts. Cross surmounting orb absent otherwise VGC. Raised in 1793 as Down Militia; in 1797 divided into North and South. North Down Militia redesignated Royal North Downshire Militia in 1800, the ‘shire’ being dropped by 1840. In 1855 redesignated Rifles; became 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles on Friday 1st July 1881. Gordon Cummings Collection.