Identity of this Irish Regt (pre-WW1)

[richy5497]

Hi,

Can anyone assist me with the identity of this Irish Regiment.

The photo was found by my father during a clearout of an attic in Clough near Ballymena. The laurel surrounding the harp looke like a variant of the R. Irish Regt badge, but the harp is different and i can find no photo's of this early a period.

Having stumbled upon this forum, i'm quite optomistic as there seems to be a fountain of knowledge here.

Anyway, here are the photo's, one of which is zoomed in.





Thanks in advance,

Richy...

[Eddie Parks]

This is a seriously weird photo!

The shako badge is that of the Royal Irish Constabulary 1901-1922 as are the collar badges. The shako badge appears to have been painted silver (originally black) in such a way as to de-emphasise the crown.

The tunics could be RIC tunics with the buttons painted silver and some tatty embellishments. The "officer's tunic" is particularly unconvincing.

And I bet the shako chin chain is from an RIC helmet!

A close up of the sword hilts would be nice but the third from the right looks like an RIC/Light Infantry officer's.

So - A gymkhana? C1930

[richy5497]

Originally Posted by Eddie Parks

This is a seriously weird photo!

The shako badge is that of the Royal Irish Constabulary 1901-1922 as are the collar badges. The shako badge appears to have been painted silver (originally black) in such a way as to de-emphasise the crown.

The tunics could be RIC tunics with the buttons painted silver and some tatty embellishments. The "officer's tunic" is particularly unconvincing.

And I bet the shako chin chain is from an RIC helmet!

A close up of the sword hilts would be nice but the third from the right looks like an RIC/Light Infantry officer's.

So - A gymkhana? C1930

Having looked closer at this photo, it is pretty weird:

Cuffs:


Little hanger on label thing?


Sword hilt as requested:


Continues below due to image posting restrictions...

[richy5497]

Now for the weird stuff...

No pocket buttons...not that weird

[richy5497]

but wait...

Stitching along top of headdress:


Stitching above peak:

[richy5497]

wonky hat?


Looks like a cardboard hat on a normal one???



So ... erm, not so confident anyone will know what the hell is going on here!

Perhaps a photo to show a new uniform idea? Thats the best i can come up with?
I was perhaps thinking camp officers/guards at Ballykinler internment camp, but the stitching and such rules that out, so my theory is the first and thats the best i can come up with, but i don't remember fashion being a big part of my military service!

Looks like i've opened up a bigger mystery here

[boots and saddles]

I can't help with the info requested but whoever took that picture was a pro, I've never seen such precision. I wonder if they were as good on parade. Just fantastic.

[Eddie Parks]

OK with the new details I'm more convinced than before. It's all based on RIC uniforms, the shakos are built on peaked caps, the tunics, badges, swords all fit.

But - this is not serious, it's fantasy, fancy dress, play time - not a new trial uniform.

So again, gymkhana, pagent, sham fight (remember Scarva?).

As has been said the men are real enough, smart and well set. So I will guess a Regimental camp event, possibly even an RUC event.

BUT I say again it's not serious it's fantasy. Just possibly part of a film set?

[PeterMc]

What an interesting picture. I would speculate that this was taken at the RUC Pageant of 1937 to mark the Coronation; part of the events were to parade many examples of uniforms worn by Irish police forces since their inception and covered the period 1787 to 1937. Reproductions of the uniforms and headgear were made up by the RUC Depot and were based - not always accurately - on engravings or photos from the relevant periods. This group appear to be wearing uniform similar to that worn by the County Constabulary around 1829. There was some idea that a harp device was worn on the bell-top shako which may explain the crown being 'blacked out'.

How wonderful it would be nowadays to have so many RIC helmet plates and Officer swords lying around that you could use them to play 'dressy uppy' !!

[richy5497]

Very interesting, thank you for the help with this, i'd have been a long time getting this figured out.
By the way, i forgot to mention that on the back is stamped "Panograph company. 61 Waring St, Belfast."

[Eddie Parks]

I am with Peter. I wasn't aware of the 1937 Pageant but it fits exactly.

And I'll bet all that gear was junked afterwards.

Eddie

[Jibba Jabba]

At the 1925 Aldershot Tattoo assorted regiments (infantry, cavalry and artillery) dressed to re-enact the Battle of Waterloo.

Ive seen a few photographs from that event but I`m sure Peter is right.

[ard-ri]

A mock up of the "Irish Brigade" who fought with the French.? The hat's look something along the French lines. Although the ribbon type belts are more Spanish style.