RWF tunic questions

[Longdog]

Hello,

Whilst attempting to figure out how to best display my RWF shoulder titles with a modest collection of collar badges, I re-looked at an OR's tunic to the 3rd Volunteer Battalion RWF I have:
Jacket only, blue facings, black braid knots to cuffs, tad grubby and slightly mothed to left shoulder embroidered epaulette.

There are some aspects about it I don't understand:
Why are the embroidered shoulder titles black lettering, not white, as I don't believe they had Rifles status.
PS: The excellent RWF museum at Caernarfon has a 3/V/Grenade/RWF epaulette in their collection (black lettering) c. 1900.

Reference dates, the shoulder title authorised for use (for Regular Battalions) was WF until 1898, thereafter RWF, so the date marking in the jacket would fit.
However, the formation date for 3rd VB was 26th May 1897 made up from the 8 Caernarfonshire companies of 2nd VB, so clearly the date marking doesn't add up.
I would think it likely the markings were added at a much later date.
Don't know what to make of the other markings: possibly indicating Bandsmen ?

Lastly, it has general service buttons and I wondered why not 3rd VB buttons.
Do they exist / would they have been worn by officers only ?

Any feedback or thoughts would be most appreciated.

Best wishes,
Pat