Victorian Sketches with Cut-Out Pasteboard Heads Representing the Rifle Volunteer Movement founded in 1859: A Social or a Military Activity?

The 'Liverpool Scottish Rifle Volunteers (XIXth Lancashire)' were raised in 1859. The cards below bear the imprint of 'J.C. Dollman Junior of Hove, Brighton'. The coloured heads have been cut out from card and the facial features are rendered in high quality print with a certain amount of embossed relief. They presumably represent volunteer life in sunnier and more southern climes than Liverpool. The interest is in the reflection they give of the perception of the Volunteer Movement at the time. It seems to be perceived as a pleasant and convivial activity of gentlemen discharging their duty as citizens. However, it is certain that the citizens of Liverpool took their military duties in 1860 seriously enough to establish rifle ranges described as 'second only to those at Bisley'. The detailed nature of the faces is of interest and it is possible that they are caricatures of local Brighton worthies or politicians of the time. Any information regarding their identity would be gladly received.

The Butts: This reflects the emphasis placed on shooting in the Volunteer Movement. The rifle, as opposed to the smooth-bore musket, was a fairly recent technical innovation and gave rise to specialist regular units such as The Rifle Brigade. However, it is obvious that a certain degree of social activity is taking place.Rifle Volunteers - 'The Butts'It is assumed that the kilted figure in 'The Butts' is a member of The London Scottish Rifle Volunteers (and a further card, not shown, represents The London Scottish marching in line). The Altcar Ranges, in the sand dunes on the coast between Liverpool and Southport, were established in 1860 to accommodate the rush of citizens to arms and thrive today. The activities of the Volunteer movement are depicted in several contempory prints such as 'The Camp at Crosby' and 'The Volunteer Games at Liverpool'

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The March Past Before the Review: Victorian Rifle Volunteers - 'The March Past Before the Review'

All is in order for this march past (though age has taken its toll on some of the pasted heads. the volunteers are in step, rifles are carried uniformly horizontal at the 'trail'.

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However ......... some time later ....

 

The March Past After The Review: A rather more relaxed attitude seems in evidence. Victorian Rifle Volunteers - 'The March Past After The Review'The Senior NCO on the left has his hand in his pocket, the man to his left apparently with a pipe, a yawn in the middle of the front rank and the left guide (on the viewer's right) is seemingly raising his glass to the artist as he passes. The step seems less than uniform and the rifles are being trailed at non-regimental angles. Territorial officers and NCOs of the subsequent 150 years might still occasionally identify with these problems.

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These prints do not belong to the Liverpool Scottish Museum but are part of a private collection to which the Museum has access.