In 1872, the North & South Shropshire Yeomanry (consisting of 14 troops) amalgamated. In 1882, the sword belt was worn outside the tunic; prior to this it was worn under a girdle with perhaps a plain snake buckle. This version would still have been worn with dress uniform between WW1 & 2. I believe the belt would have been pipe-clayed buff leather.
The leopard head is derived from the county coat of arms, which has three leopard heads. The original troops of the regiment were raised in 1795. Until spring 1940 this was a cavalry unit, which then became two medium artillery regiments. Before conversion, the SY was based on the farming community, with 75% recruited from farming families. They even provided their own horses!
The buckle is die-struck gilding metal. The slot measures 2 1/16 inches (ie would take a belt of about 2 inches wide). The front measures 2.5 x 3 1/8 inches.
If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.
[Belt Buckles : British : 19th Century]
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