The Hampshire Mounted Rifle Volunteers existed from 1860 but wore a wide brimmed hat until 1873 when they adopted a pale spike-topped helmet which resembled the infantry helmet of 1878. This bronze badge was produced in 1873 to be worn on the front of the helmet. The central mounted figure is based on the main figure in a woodcut that was published in the Illustrated London News on 2 Aug 1873 showing the Hants MRV shooting at Wimbledon for Colonel Loyd-Lindsay’s Prize.
