Georgian or Early Victorian Wiltshire Militia Officers Shako Plate

A Large 8 pointed star plate gilt on copper (some gilt loss to rays) Top ray displaced by Crown (Gilt fine) to the middle a gilt strap Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense below this a strap with "Wiltshire" To the middle a raised silver and red enamel St Georges Cross.
The regiment was organised in late 1758, as the Wiltshire Militia. It was embodied in 1778, at which time it was ranked the 19th regiment of militia, and remained active for five years. It was regularly re-ranked through its embodiment, becoming the 38th in 1779, 22nd in 1780, 37th in 1781, and 9th in 1782.
It was embodied again during the French Revolutionary Wars, ranked as the 35th. With the resumption of hostilities in 1803, it was ranked as the 8th. In 1833, it was ranked as the 33rd, and in 1841 designated "Royal". It saw service during the Crimean War, being embodied in 1854 and volunteering for garrison service in the Mediterranean. As this plate has no Royal designation it places it prior to 1841. 2 lugs and a wire fixing to rear.

Code: 50620