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Volunteer Infantry >> Volunteer Infantry (1859-1908) >> Rifle Volunteer Corp 1861
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Message started by alan on 03/21/05 at 4:00pm

Title: Rifle Volunteer Corp 1861
Post by alan on 03/21/05 at 4:00pm

Can anybody help in identifying the following_
I have purchased an 1860 Enfield Short Musket which i have been told is a prize rifle. The rifle has a silver disc on the rifle butt with engraving
8th Prize
Presented by

Wm Wotherspoon Esq of Castlehead
won by John Spence 6th Corps 1861

engraved on the wood on the other side is C41 RVC
Any information on the above which could assist me with tracing John Spence would be grately appreciated.
Alan

Title: Re: Rifle Volunteer Corp 1861
Post by dbm on 03/21/05 at 6:34pm

C41 RVC is not a specific Corps marking I recognise, and such would normally by found on the heel plate.

The only Castlehead I can find is on the outskirts of Paisley. The 6th Corps of the Renfrewshire Rifle Volunteer Corps was formed at Paisley on 23 November 1859, so although a somewhat tenous link it is the best starting point for research I can come up with! :)

Rifle competitions and Volunteer matters were widely covered in local press and a search of local papers for Paisley may be worth considering if accessible.

There is an internet discussion list for Scottish Military which you can find at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scottish_military/

Subscribing to the list and seeking further help there may be worthwhile trying.

If you find anymore information please do follow up here.

David

Title: Re: Rifle Volunteer Corp 1861
Post by Bill_Curtis on 03/22/05 at 12:39am

Renfrewshire does not feature much but I have found a note that they shot a match at 'Pollockskews' on 11th May 1861 at 2,3,5,600 yards and that the 3rd Renfrew beat the 4th Renfrew. 5 rounds at each distance, scores 228 to 191.

A local Press check at Pollockshaws (for that is what I believe the extract meant) might be useful. This appears to be close to Paisley. There is a country park called Pollock and another place called Pollockfields. If the local paper's files still exist it will almost certainly be in there.

Typos were common at the time and I have just seen a beauty from the 1891 Census where a gentleman by the name of PER ADMER BONG turns out to be one Rear Admiral Byng.

Spence does not seem to have competed in the 1861 Queen's Prize.