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Royal Ulster Rifles Mid Victorian Officers Shoulder Belt Plate
£2,250.00
o.n.o
The Royal Ulster Rifles Mid Victorian Officers Shoulder Belt Plate. Parkyn 506 in burnished gilt with silver ornaments worn prior to 1855. Gilt. Superb Condition. The Royal Ulster Rifles was a regiment of the British Army with a history dating back to 1793. During the mid-Victorian era (roughly the 1850s to 1870s), military uniforms and accouterments underwent various changes. Shoulder belt plates were a significant part of military dress during this period, serving both a functional and decorative purpose. These plates typically featured regimental insignia, including the regiment's name, number, and often a crest or other distinctive symbols.
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Availability:
In stock
SKU
CX1104100506
This Royal Ulster Rifles Mid-Victorian Officers' Shoulder Belt Plate, specifically listed as Parkyn 506, is a notable piece of British military regalia from the mid-19th century. Here’s a breakdown of what this belt plate is, including context and details based on the classification “Parkyn 506.”
Designation: Officers' Shoulder Belt Plate
Regiment: Royal Ulster Rifles (originally part of the Royal Irish Rifles lineage)
Period: Mid-Victorian era (worn prior to 1855)
Catalogue Reference: Parkyn No. 506
Materials: Burnished gilt (base and frame). Silver ornaments (central badge elements)
Description & Design: According to Robert Parkyn’s “Shoulder-Belt Plates and Buttons” (a key reference for British military dress), plate #506 features the following:
Rectangular or slightly convex oval plate with rounded corners, following the style used widely in the early-to-mid 19th century.
Gilt base: The entire plate is burnished gilt, giving it a high-polish gold appearance.
Silver ornaments: These would be applied or inset decorations, often including the regiment’s insignia, crown, or harp.
A crowned harp (symbol of Ireland)
Wreaths (typically laurel or oak)
Reverse: The rear typically includes lugs and clasps to attach the plate securely to the white buff leather shoulder belt worn by officers.
Pre-1855 Usage: This belt plate predates the major British Army uniform reforms that occurred after the Crimean War. Officers wore highly decorative uniforms and accoutrements, especially ceremonial ones.
Purpose: Worn with the full-dress uniform for ceremonial occasions, not in combat. The belt plate served both a decorative and practical function (attaching sword belts and pouches).
Notes on Parkyn Catalog Reference: Robert Parkyn's book is the definitive guide for these accoutrements. Each item is meticulously cataloged with line drawings and regiment associations. Parkyn #506 is one of the few tied directly to an Irish regiment in the mid-Victorian period and is a recognized reference point for museums and collectors.