R.I.C and D.M.P. Uniform, Badges and Buttons

Three members of the R.I.C. having just received their Coronation medals in Dublin in 1911.



An R.I.C. pin badge, stamped B. & P. on reverse, silver gilt, silver covered in gold plate. These pins were decorative, worn by members and ex-members of the R.I.C. or as sweetheart broaches. They are not official awards for service or bravery.






Dublin Metropolitan Police DMP Cap Badge used from about 1902 to 1910. White metal die-stamped 'Quis Separabit' Who will separate (us) and EVII Royal cypher.

George V Royal Irish Constabulary cast iron barracks sign, from Donegall Pass Barracks, Belfast. Relief-cast badge with King's crown




Some of the rank insignia of the DMP was used by Poiliní Átha Cliath and An Garda Síochána. I am told this DMP Station Sergeant’s cuff insignia was used in Dublin up to the late 1960s or early 1970s.





Another example of DMP rank insignia used by Poiliní Átha Cliath and also, I am told, by An Garda Síochána.

Buttons

Poiliní Átha Cliath

In 1922 the new Free State Government re-branded the Dublin Metropolitan Police, the new force for Dublin being named Poiliní Átha Cliath. Poiliní Átha Cliath remained in existence until 1925 when it was merged with An Garda Síochána.


RIC  Black horn button made by James Grove and Sons

Black other rankshorn button made by James Grove and Sons, Halesowen, West Midlands, England, founded in 1857 and was in business up to about 2012. Buttons were either made from Horn or Hoof and the company archives suggest that both Confederate and Union sides chose to have their buttons made by James Grove during the American Civil War.

RIC Officer's Button made by T G Phillips

RIC white metal officer’s button made by T G Phillips of Dame Street Dublin. King’s Crown measures 23mm across. T. G. Phillips were a long established business and made various military accessories including swords. I have seen items made by Phillips dating back to the early 1800s.

RIC Queen Victoria Crown Button

RIC Queen Victoria Crown 1867 – 1901 black horn button measuring 23mm across, no makers mark.

RIC Button J. Ireland and Son

  1. Ireland and Son Dublin black horn button with Queen Victoria Crown, button measures 23mm across. We have found records of J. Ireland and Son going back to 1871, the earliest records we could find of J. Ireland producing items for the RIC date from 1888.

King's Crown English Make RIC Button

Kings Crown 1901 – 1922, from sources I was able to identify the English Make maker’s mark buttons appear to be late issue 1919 to 1921. The IRA had imposed an embargo on Irish manufactures supplying the RIC during the War of Independence, the RIC had to source their buttons in England and I suspect the English Make mark was to stop the manufacturer being identified.