Sword and Firearm markings of The South Notts Yeomanry.

Dertermining issue marks of weapons issued to the South Notts Hussars has been slightly complicate by the Regiment having gone through several name changes in its long history. 

A 1796 Patt cavalry troopers sword is held in the Nottingham Castle collection with the blade etched "NYC" for Notts Yeomanry Cavalry. This term was also used b the Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry, although observed pieces also carry a marking for west and north with "w" nad "n".

A light dragoon flintlock pistol  of private purchase / volunteer type has been observed with "NOTTS YEOMANRY" engraved to the side nail plate, and would date to pre-1826 before the regiment was divided into north, the Sherwood Rangers,  and south, the Southern Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry. 

The regiment was issued with 1844 Patt Yeomanry carbines in 1844. These are likely to carry markings to the butt plate tang along the lines of, S.R.Y.C., or S.N.Y.C.

In the later period, two 1853 Patt Cavalry Troppers swords have been observed with markings the South Notts Hussars. In period documents and papers, the regiment is often referred to as the South Notts, or Southern Nottinghamshire's. In the second half of the 19th century, the regiment grouped into five (later four) Troops or Squadrons. One P-1853 sword with "S.N.D.29" engraved on the guard, and another with "S.N.B.5" engraved on the guard. This equated to "South Notts. D squadron (Bingham, or Wollaton if done later), weapon rack number 29, and "South Notts. B squadron (Watnall), weapon rack number 5". 

Assuming the supply chain from the Ordnance equipped both the South Notts, and the Sherwood Rangers, the armourer would only need to determine between "S.N." and "S.R." issued weapons, and then individual unit / troop markings. 

This issue was discussed with the author and arms historian Ian Skennerton who has written several books which include research into regimental markings. He said,

 "Page 114 of the recent 'Broad Arrow Mk 2' has the Notts listed, Yeomanry and p.112 lists the South Nottinghamshire Hussars in Territorial forces.

I can't see anything in the regional lists for Nottinghamshire.These lists were courtesy of Jeremy and only cover specific time frames so there is likely to be much more given a 200-year time frame.It is logical that SN is South Notts because I cannot find any other area to suit. Also likely as B and D are in italic, as troops or squadrons.Playing devil's advocate, there is nothing else that comes anywhere near that liklihood." 

There is no other British regiment that can be atributed to "S.N."

This was confirmed when a Boer-War period P-1885 Cavalry Troops sword was studied. Its unit marks are "Y" over "SN" over "NTT". This marking stating Nottinghamshire with the "NTT", and "SN" to determine it was not a weapon issued to the Sherwood Rangers. 

Slightly earlier than this sword, a Martini-Henry cavalry carbine has been observed with the marking, "Y" over "NTT.S" This marking not indicating if the "S" related to Sherwood, or South, it may be the case that firearms for both regiments were stored in the same armoury, or issued without distinction between the two by the Ordnance at the time of the carbines issue. 








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