Victorian (c1860) Shako Plate for 27th (Bolton) Lancashire Rifle Volunteer ‘Arms of the Palatine on Lancaster’. 19289:14. Victorian (c1860) Shako Plate for 27th (Bolton) Lancashire Rifle Volunteer ‘Arms of the Palatine on Lancaster’. 19289:14. Antiques & Militaria

The Bolton Rifles, later the 5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, was a volunteer unit of the British Army from 1859 until 1967. It served on the Western Front during the First World War, and in the Far East during the Second World War, when one battalion was captured at the Fall of Singapore. It consisted of four companies (at Bolton, Deane, Farnworth and Kearsley) commanded by Major William Gray, MP with a headquarters at a rented house in Crook Street. It had increased to six companies headquartered in Bridge Street by 1861, when Gray was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and eight by 1863, headquartered at the old workhouse in Fletcher Street. The smaller 82nd Lancashire RVC (raised at Hindley on 14 June 1861) was attached to it. The Bolton Rifles' uniform was originally light grey with green facings and a grey cap, later changing to scarlet with green facings and regulation spiked helmet. Edward III raised Lancaster to a County Palatine for Henry’s lifetime. This meant that the new Duke had sovereign rights in the county in the spheres of justice and administration. The law courts in Lancashire were under the Duke’s administration and he appointed the sheriff, judges, justices of the peace and other senior officials. In medieval England Palatinate powers were devolved royal powers for use in regions where central government was difficult. The creation of Lancashire as a County Palatine may have been intended by Edward III as a protective barrier against the Scots. 12 ¼ cm in length and 9 cm wide. The 3 lugs are present to the rear. The price includes UK postage. 19289:14.