NAM.1984-09-87-1

Officer's shoulder belt plate, silver, Royal Bristol Volunteers, Gloucestershire, 1810 (c). Oval silver plate, hallmarked London, 1808 The first incarnation of Volunteers in Bristol was from 1797 to 1802 when they were known as the Bristol Volunteers, or Bristol Loyal Volunteers. After the Peace of Amiens in 1802 the regiment was re-raised as the Royal Bristol Volunteers. Their motto was 'In Danger Ready'. They were disbanded in 1814. Bristol Volunteer uniforms included scarlet jackets with yellow facings. When the royal prefix was added, the new jacket had blue facings. This shoulder belt plate was used to join a leather shoulder belt that would support a sword. Plate bears the following design: within an incised garter bearing the title, 'Royal. Bristol. Volunteers', the pierced cypher, 'GR', the whole surmounted by an incised monarchial crown. On reverse a hook at upper edge and two studs at lower edge together with the manufacturer's mark, 'PB' or 'WB'