Watnall Troop S.N.Y.C. local history

  Not an item directly associated with the S.N.H.,however, the SMLE rifle was the last firearm issued to the S.N.H. before the regiment converted to an artillery unit. The SMLE was first issued to the regiment in 1909, and used by them throughout WW1.  The SMLE was first introduced in 1903. Basically a combination of the army's infantry rifle, and cavalry carbine, the  Magazine Lee Enfield ,and the Carbine Magazine Lee Enfield.With minor improvements, most notably the introduction of a charger bridge for five round clips, the SMLE became its most familiar form in 1907, the Mk.III This example made by B.S.A. in 1914 shows the early features of the 1907 SMLE Mk.III, the rifle which the B.E.F. went to war with in 1914. A single round cut-off for the magazine. An adjustment wheel for the rear sight leaf. Milled sides to the rear sight protector. To the left hand side of the rifle,and a pair of flip up long range volley sights with a dial for the front sight. In...

 Throughout the 1840's and 50's, the regular Army Hussar regiments, and the Yeomanry Cavalry regiments adopted the Hussars tunic. Closely based on the German and Austrian designs, the Attilla. A tight fitting jacket with gold gimp decoration for officers and gold decoration to the collar.  The German Hussars tunic usually had five horizontal lines of gimp decoration, although the regular British Hussars regiments chose to have six lines, probably so they did not show a direct copy. The South Notts Yeomanry Cavalry however chose to stick with the traditional five lines. Some regiments such as The South Notts Yeomanry Cavalry  chose to have the shorter "Stable" jacket. The dress code for Yeomanry regiments was not as strict as the regular regiments, and the yeomanry uniforms tended to be a mix of hussar and cavalry regiments of the time.  The South Notts Yeomanry Cavalry first adopted the five lined dark blue stable jacket in 1846. A Prussian style dark blue ...

   A rare percussion 1844 Patt Yeomanry carbine, Bearing issue marks for the SNYC, B Troop (Watnall) , weapon number 14.  The Ordnance decided, along with the regular mounted regiments who had previously been equipped with pistols, to upgrade the weaponry of Yeomanry units to a carbine with the new percussion ignition system. Up to this point, some yeomanry regiments had adopted percussion carbines of Paget type, but most were still armed with the flintlock Light Dragoon pistol, including the South Nottinghamshire Yeomanry. The Ordnance created specifically for the Yeomanry, the Pattern 1844 percussion carbine. With a smooth bore barrel, 20 inches long of 16 bore calibre. With fixed sights, yet fitted with a jager style trigger guard. Fitted with a saddle ring mounted on a bar to the left hand side. To hang from a saddle fitting, ready to hand  when needed. Fitted with the new 1842 pattern percussion lock. In may 1844, the government informed Lieutenan...

  Of the finest quality, a compact eight draw telescope by P.Myers of Nottingham. Engraved with the name of its owner, "T.W.Edge, Esq're" with the date, "july 9th 1829". The telescope is under six inches when closed, extending to thirty inches. Contained in its leather case also bearing the name "T.W.EDGE". The case with a mounting strap to its body, ideal for attaching to leather saddle straps or similar, perfect compact size for a mounted Cavalry Officer. It is not known if the date engraved on the telescope refers to it being presented to him, but that is the most likely scenario. Possibly a gift from his troopers, or maybe fellow officers after having been made Commander of the Wollaton Troop in May of that year.    Thomas Webb - Edge was part of Nottinghamshire's landed gentry, living at Strelley Hall to the West of the County. Not too far away from both Watnall and Wollaton. With the reorganisation of the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Cavalry in ...