NAM.1977-02-34-1

Officers’ pouch belt plate, Herefordshire Rifle Volunteers, 1860-1880. White metal. Upon a frosted ground in relief a right-facing hedgehog couchant surrounded by a circlet bearing the title ‘HEREFORDSHIRE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS’. The circlet surmounted by a monarchial crown and surrounded by a wreath of laurel. Four nut and screw fittings upon reverse. The significance of the hedgehog is unknown, though it may be related to Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, which was known as ‘Ergyng’ (land of the hedgehog) by the Celts around 500 AD and where the animal is frequently used in crests and logos.