25th Foot The Kings Own Scottish Borderers (2nd Berwickshire) Helmet Plate

25th Foot The Kings Own Scottish Borderers (2nd Berwickshire) Volunteer Battalion Victorian Officers Home Service Helmet Plate in silver and silver plate - circa 1887. A truly superb example of this scarce plate. Scroll to bottom of badge "2nd Volunteer Battn." 3 lugs to rear. Magnificent piece. Price includes delivery to a UK address. International shipping is extra.    

An outstanding and rare example of the Victorian Officer's Home Service Helmet Plate for the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers. Crafted in silver and silver plate, this circa 1887 badge is a superb piece of regimental history.

Features the scroll at the base inscribed with: “2nd Volunteer Battn.”

Complete with three original lugs to the rear for secure attachment.

A magnificent display item for collectors of Victorian military insignia or Scottish regimental artifacts.

Condition: Excellent, with fine detail and original fittings intact.

25th Regiment of Foot

Full Name (pre-1881): 25th (The King’s Own Borderers) Regiment of Foot

Founded: 1689 by David Leslie, 3rd Earl of Leven, originally to help defend Edinburgh against the Jacobites.

Early History: Saw extensive service throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, including in the War of Spanish Succession, Napoleonic Wars, and colonial campaigns.

Notable Role: Fought in key battles such as Blenheim, Minden, and the Peninsular War.

King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB)

Formed: 1881, as part of the Childers Reforms, which reorganized the British Army’s infantry regiments.

The 25th Foot became the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, a line infantry regiment in the Lowland Brigade.

Depot: Berwick-upon-Tweed, though it had strong ties to Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.

Victorian Period Service: Served in Sudan (e.g., the Battle of Suakin), the Second Boer War, and in various colonial garrisons.

Continued serving through both World Wars and into the late 20th century until it was amalgamated in 2006 into the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

2nd Volunteer Battalion (2nd Berwickshire)

Volunteer Movement: A national defense initiative during the 19th century to create part-time civilian volunteer forces to support the regular army.

The 2nd Berwickshire Rifle Volunteers became the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, under the Cardwell and later Childers reforms.

These volunteers trained locally and often wore slightly different uniforms and insignia from the regulars, though they shared regimental identity.

Eventually, the Territorial Force (established in 1908) absorbed these volunteer battalions — the 2nd Volunteer Battalion likely became part of the 4th or 5th Battalions KOSB in the TF structure.

Historical Significance of this Helmet Plate

Likely belonged to an officer in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion during the late Victorian era (c.1887), when Home Service helmets were standard dress for officers and ceremonial occasions. These plates are highly collectible, especially when they include specific battalion designations like "2nd Volunteer Battn."