Preview :- Piper 1st Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1900.

[mick3272]

Hi Neal.
I think that picture is off their record dust cover in the 70s.
Mick

 

[Richard Baxter]

Interesting thread about uniform colours. Neal's pic looks like the tunic is in French Grey, which does have a bluish tone. Maybe the different battalions had different uniforms, hence the differing info quoted above?

 

[Ventress]

Put me down for the 2/3rd kilted punter! Great piece.

 

[Cannonball]

Another one for you Mick-states Pipe Major, 1929 from R G Harris’s Irish Regiments 1683-1999

 

[mick3272]

Put me down for the 2/3rd kilted punter! Great piece.

Will do Rob.Will keep you updated with info.
Mick

 

[Nap]

Nice picture Neal, bit later than Mick's but goes to show the conversion potential as well

Be tempted to add some arm badges best it bagpipes and/or rank


Now ..,what the best way to do French Gray ?

Nap

 

[mick3272]

Nice picture Neal, bit later than Mick's but goes to show the conversion potential as well

Be tempted to add some arm badges best it bagpipes and/or rank

Nap

Turn him into a Pip;e Major, he already has the empty sword shoulder belt.
Mick

 

[Nap]

Turn him into a Pip;e Major, he already has the empty sword shoulder belt.
Mick

And maybe a medal ?

Nap

 

[red tom]

The one from the 70s was the one I was expecting Mick, so lots of potential for buying two. will see if I have anything left after folkestone prices.

 

[Wayneb]

Roughed out sculpt with much potential. Will see where it goes.....

 

[mick3272]

The one from the 70s was the one I was expecting Mick, so lots of potential for buying two. will see if I have anything left after folkestone prices.

Well I'm sure you will come up with some conversion. I was down the town the other day & thought I would have to pay my bar bill on HP. see how it goes. M.

 

[mick3272]

Hi

Tunic Colour & Shawl​

As previously stated I was given by reliable sources the following.
The Museum stated.
French Gray Tunic & Shawl.
Other reliable sources have said a combination of:-
French Gray Tunic, Dark Green Shawl.
Dark Green Tunic, French Gray Shawl.
Dark Green Tunic & Shawl.
In addition Neil W attached a picture Dark Blue tunic & Green Shawl.

I have given this some thought overnight and came up with the following. This is just a possible explanation so please dont take it as gospel without doing more research.

I think it fair to assume they did exist, but in the early days were not so well known as their Scottish counter parts,

The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were formed as a result of the reforms of 1881. The Regiments being.

1st Battalion.
The 27th Inniskilling Regiment of foot. Originally formed in 1688 do defend the town of Enniskillen from the forces of James II. Their original uniform was French Gray.

It is said that the Tunic and later the Regiments Gray Hackle go back to this uniform.

2nd Battalion.
108th Regiment of Foot (Madras Infantry) This regiment was originally raised in 1776 and was Part of the H E I C. with a few ups & downs the regiment was taken in to the service of the crown in 1862. Having spent all of its service in India they were sent to the UK in 1876. By the stroke of a pen in Whitehall they became the 2nd Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1881. Although the 108th had a large number of Irishmen in the Regiment they had no real links to Ireland. So would they have adopted the French Gray Pipers tunic or would the Btn even have pipers this early in their joint history.

The Regiment was also assigned two Militia battalions. ( Reserve)

3rd Battalion.
The Fermanagh Light Infantry formed in 1793.

Being titled Light Infantry the Green Tunic seems to fit.

4th Battalion.
Formed in 1783 as the Royal Tyrone Militia and re named in 1855 as the Royal Tyrone Fusiliers.

Having the title Royal this would fit with the Blue Tunic.

Although they seem to have some differences they do share other parts of the uniform. You can just imagine the in fighting about who would and would not change parts of their treasured uniform and traditions.

So Please dont take this as gospel but it gives lots of scope.

Mick.

 

[Richard Baxter]

Thanks for your analysis, Mick. It all seems plausible.

Just a further thought about the adoption of the pipes. Being an Ulster regiment, they would have strong links to the Scots Protestants who colonised Ulster, so maybe a reference back to those links. Am not sure where bagpipes stand in Irish culture. Am more familiar with the Uileann pipes, which are played in a sitting position and which are powered by bellows like the Northumbrian pipes and not by breath. Then again, bagpipes are found all over the world. There is an English and Welsh version which only has a single drone.

However, the Irish Guards have pipers too, don't they?

 

[mick3272]

Thanks for your analysis, Mick. It all seems plausible.

Just a further thought about the adoption of the pipes. Being an Ulster regiment, they would have strong links to the Scots Protestants who colonised Ulster, so maybe a reference back to those links. Am not sure where bagpipes stand in Irish culture. Am more familiar with the Uileann pipes, which are played in a sitting position and which are powered by bellows like the Northumbrian pipes and not by breath. Then again, bagpipes are found all over the world. There is an English and Welsh version which only has a single drone.

However, the Irish Guards have pipers too, don't they?

Yes The Irish Guards Have Pipes., Now days even cavalry regiments have Pipe bands. you may find this link helpful http://st.louis.irish.tripod.com/irishwarpipe/id1.html
Mick

 

[Richard Baxter]

Mounted pipers? Now that is scary. I had a friend who was a French horn player in the band of the Household Cavalry and seeing him trying to ride and play that thing with 2 hands was quite something (the reins were attached to his stirrups).

Thanks for the article link. In return, there's this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Irish_warpipes

 

[mick3272]

Pipe Banner Colours for the Regimental side of the banner,

​

​

Mick

 

[Nap]

Thanks for the banners ...other side with details like above ?

Nap

 

[mick3272]

Thanks for the banners ...other side with details like above ?

Nap

Ihaven't been able to find similar details for the other side but it can be seen in the pics above entitled Piper 3rd Inniskilling Fusiliers 1900.
Silver Star with central red cross with green shamrock. Red scroll on a Blue field.
Mick

 

[mick3272]

Greetings All.
Small update, The Kit arrived this morning safe & sound.
Will be prepped for molding & casting in the next couple of days.

Thanks Mick

 

[Huw63]

Cheers Huw. Will we be seeing you in May??
Mick

Sadly not Mick, can't do it this year.

Cheers

Huw