Original British WWI Era Other Ranks Scarlet Tunic With Irish Volunteers Brass Buttons Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Red coat (also spelled as “redcoat”) or scarlet tunic was a military garment used widely, though not exclusively worn, by most regiments of the British Army, Royal Marines, and some colonial units within the British Empire, from the 17th to the 20th centuries. The scarlet tunic continues to be used into the 21st century, with several armed forces of the Commonwealth of Nations adopting them as their full dress and mess dress uniforms. The uniform and term “redcoat” may have originated in 16th century Tudor Ireland as a derogatory term for the British, as British soldiers in Lord Lieutenant of Ireland’s army wore red coats, the first time English and Scottish soldiers under English command and later British collectively had a red uniform. The term was then brought to America and Europe by Irish emigrants.

From the mid-17th century to the 19th century, the uniform of most British soldiers (apart from artillery, rifles and light cavalry) included a madder red coat or coatee. From 1873 onwards, the more vivid shade of scarlet was adopted for all ranks, having previously been worn only by officers, sergeants and all ranks of some cavalry regiments

This is a lovely example of a WWI or Pre WWI British “redcoat” but what’s interesting is the added Irish Volunteers buttons. We are unsure as to why the Volunteers buttons were added, but it definitely gives the coat a lovely complete appearance.

There are no markings or stamps that can be found on the inside of the coat. The condition is excellent with minor staining and no extensive damage.

This example comes more than ready for further research and display!

Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9”
Shoulder to sleeve: 23”
Shoulder to shoulder: 18”
Chest width: 19”
Waist width: 17”
Hip width: 21”
Front length: 26″

Irish Volunteers
The Irish Volunteers, sometimes called the Irish Volunteer Force or Irish Volunteer Army, was a military organization established in 1913 by Irish nationalists. It was ostensibly formed in response to the formation of the Irish unionist/loyalist militia the Ulster Volunteers in 1912, and its declared primary aim was “to secure and maintain the rights and liberties common to the whole people of Ireland”. The Volunteers included members of the Gaelic League, Ancient Order of Hibernians and Sinn Féin, and, secretly, the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). Increasing rapidly to a strength of nearly 200,000 by mid-1914, it split in September of that year over John Redmond’s commitment to the British War effort, with the smaller group retaining the name of “Irish Volunteers”.