Royal Irish Constabulary - Horse Appointments
 

The Royal Irish Constabulary maintained a Mounted Troop section, with the majority of the Troop being located at the R.I.C. Depot in Dublin, smaller numbers in Belfast and the major cities, and a few mounted constables based in each county. The duties were mainly ceremonial and in the cities, related to crowd control and escort work.

As can be expected, the horses had their own appointments, with distinctive bridle bit bosses and breastplates (martingale badges). These can be seen in this image of a mounted RIC constable.

An R.I.C. Mounted Troop Breastplate
 

This is a fine quality breastplate of the R.I.C. Mounted Troop. In three parts, it comprises of a brass harp and shamrock spray affixed to a silver/white metal badge; the whole being fixed to a second brass badge filled and strengthened to the rear.

The silver badge is fixed to the brass backing plate with six pins. The backing plate shows the remains of what I believe to be four blades (north/south, east/west).

I have shown the item separated into its main parts.

An RI.C. Mounted Troop Bit Boss
 

This badge appeared in online auction a few years back. I was wary at the time, as given the poor finish of the item I thought it may have been a fake, so passed on it.

I now believe (thanks to information on this forum) that it is the brass backing plate to a bit boss, given the post fittings to the reverse. The silver badge to the front had gone, but it would have been the same size as the breastplate.

RIC
 

Evening Peter,

Thanks for sharing , great information and very informative.

Tony C