QVC Victorian 49th Middlesex Rifles Volunteers (Post Office Rifles) Black Composite Large Pattern Button

Circa 25mm in diameter, fixed shank and maker marked Herbert & Co, London. Some service wear / nibbles to edges otherwise a scarce button. It was worn post 1880 but with a change of the number to '24' in place of '49' on the circlet. The design was as for that of the pouch badge (see MHS Bulletin Vol VI No 24 May 1956, p89, Figs 97and 98 refer). Rare.

On 2 March 1868 the 49th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers Corps (Post Office Rifles) was duly raised from the Post Office Companies (Civil Service Rifles). In 1880 a reorganisation of the volunteer corps saw the unit renumbered as the 24th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers (Post Office Rifles).

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Code: 69879