This belt plate is quite rare because it was only worn by one of three officers in the regiment; the commanding officer, the second in command and the adjutant. These were the only officers mounted on horseback when the regiment was on parade. Unmounted officers, numbering between 30 or 40 (in 1870 there were 36) would have carried their broadswords slung from a white leather shoulder-belt with an ornate belt plate. They would also have an embroidered dirk belt with an oval belt plate. Mounted officers carried their sword slung from a waist-belt with this pattern clasp. The VR cypher dates it after 1837 and it could have been worn by officers up to 1881 when the number 79 was discontinued. Unofficially, however the regiment retained a pride in its old number and may have continued to wear badges and appointments with 79 as the central feature.
