RA Regulars v RA Volunteer Pouch Belt Fitting Differences

[wright241]

I wonder if someone can help me sort out why I have a Gilt "gun" on what I believe to be a Volunteer pouch and belt - I purchased a pouch & belt on the basis that it was a "Regular" pouch & belt and not a RA Volunteer pouch/belt.
It would appear to me that I have a mixture but would like a second or third opinion.
It was my belief that the only differences between a Regular RA pouch/belt (the one with the large "gun") as against the Volunteer RA pouch/belt was teh fininsh of the "gun" and the fittings i.e. Regulars had a Gilt "gun" and Volunteers had a WM version and b) the pouch belt braid and fittings was also gilt for the regulars and silver for the volunteers.
Any help would be appreciated.
I am assuming that the undress and full dress RHA had all gilt fittings.
Many thanks. david

Hello Dave - Pre 1908 Regular and Militia Artillery units would have been all gilt fittings and lace and Volunteer units all silver fittings and lace. There are, however, numerous examples of what you describe - a mixture of gilt and silver fittings and lace. I have an Edward VII Royal Army Medical Corps officers pouch and belt, the pouch and pouch plate in gilt, the belt in silver - and that is how the owner wore it ! I believe it has already been said on other threads that the volunteer movement probably didn't take quite the care and concern to comply to the letter with accoutrements. My great uncle went to the Western Front in 1914 as a TA officer carrying his father's QVC Rifle Volunteer sword (in silver plate). I am sure there is an encyclopaedia of instances where such things have been observed. For sure, the Dress regulations would have prescribed this and that but in reality they weren't always complied with. Regards. David

[wright241]

Originally Posted by David Douglas

Hello Dave - Pre 1908 Regular and Militia Artillery units would have been all gilt fittings and lace and Volunteer units all silver fittings and lace. There are, however, numerous examples of what you describe - a mixture of gilt and silver fittings and lace. I have an Edward VII Royal Army Medical Corps officers pouch and belt, the pouch and pouch plate in gilt, the belt in silver - and that is how the owner wore it ! I believe it has already been said on other threads that the volunteer movement probably didn't take quite the care and concern to comply to the letter with accoutrements. My great uncle went to the Western Front in 1914 as a TA officer carrying his father's QVC Rifle Volunteer sword (in silver plate). I am sure there is an encyclopaedia of instances where such things have been observed. For sure, the Dress regulations would have prescribed this and that but in reality they weren't always complied with. Regards. David

David, ok and thanks. Maybe this belt is one of those.
david