*British, c1880-1908, 2nd Sussex Rifle Volunteers, Helmet Badge*
A good, rare, die-stamped brass metal crowned star bearing a shield with 6 Sussex Martlets surrounded by a laurel spray wreath and a strap “2nd Regt Sussex Rifle Vols”. A martlet is an heraldic and mythical bird, like a swallow without feet. The Martlets, long before the creation of county councils, was in fairly common usage as the unofficial crest of Sussex – it is believed that the emblem was linked to the Norman family, de Arundel, who bore arms that were black with six silver or white martlets.
An invasion scare in 1859 led to the emergence of the Volunteer Movement, the 2nd Sussex Rifle Volunteers was a part-time unit of the British Army first raised from the county of Sussex in 1859. The 1st and 2nd Sussex Admin Battalions were amalgamated in 1874 and consolidated as the 2nd Sussex RVC on 4 February 1880. A detachment served in the Second Boer War 1899-1902. Under the 1908 Haldane Reforms, which subsumed the Volunteer Force, they then became the 4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.
Approx: 13cm x 10.5cm
*Condition*
In sound, used condition. No fastening lugs. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RQMHOXAFO_5951140440
