South African 4th Mounted Rifles (Umvoti Mounted Rifles) (1913-1934 Pattern) Brass Shoulder Title

4th Mounted Rifles shoulder title in brass, produced in the pattern worn from 1913 by the 4th Mounted Rifles (Umvoti Mounted Rifles) of the Union Defence Force of South Africa. This South African Active Citizen Force mounted rifles shoulder title is configured as a single flowing scroll construction in brass, the numeral “4TH” pierced and raised above the centre arch of the scroll, with “MOUNTED RIFLES” on the scroll, terminating in curled ends at each extremity. The reverse carries two horizontal attachment lugs for fixing to the shoulder strap. The flowing scroll with raised central numeral above the arched title is a construction style distinctive to South African Active Citizen Force unit shoulder titles of the pre-First World War and First World War period, and distinguishes these titles from the straight or curved bar construction of their British Army Territorial Force counterparts of the same era.

The regiment was founded in Greytown, Natal, on 16 May 1864 as the Greytown Mounted Rifles, one of the earliest volunteer mounted units raised in the colony of Natal. It was subsequently redesignated the Umvoti Mounted Rifles in 1893, taking its name from the Umvoti district of Natal from which it drew the majority of its recruits, and served in several local conflicts and border operations during the later Victorian period before mobilising for service in the Second Boer War of 1899–1902. On 1 July 1913, following the passage of the South Africa Defence Act of 1912 and the establishment of the Union Defence Force, the regiment was transferred into the Active Citizen Force and redesignated the 4th Mounted Rifles, adopting at that point the numbered title appearing on this shoulder title in place of its earlier territorial designation. The regiment was absorbed back into its Umvoti Mounted Rifles title following the First World War, in which it served as part of the wider South African mounted forces contribution to the German South West Africa campaign of 1914–1915 and subsequently in East Africa. The regiment is today perpetuated by the Umvoti Mounted Rifles, based at Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, as part of the South African Army Armour Formation.

Manufactured in brass with a scroll consistent with South African Active Citizen Force shoulder title production, this original example provides a well-defined representation of the 4th Mounted Rifles regimental shoulder title as worn during the unit’s brief existence under that designation. 4th Mounted Rifles shoulder titles are collected as examples of South African Active Citizen Force militaria of the Union Defence Force period, mounted regiment insignia of the Natal provincial forces, and uniform hardware associated with the pre-First World War reorganisation of South African military forces.

Dimensions Approx. 65mm width x 22mm height

Condition [Condition description here.]