An original British Army brass shoulder title to the Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's), featuring the regiment’s distinctive curved "SOMERSET" pattern in die-struck brass. This type of title was worn on the shoulder straps or epaulettes of Service Dress uniforms and was intended to identify the wearer’s regiment. The title retains its original two lug fittings to the reverse and displays an attractive aged brass patina consistent with period service use.
Approx. Measurements – Length: 5.5 cm. Height: 1.2 cm.
History Note: The Somerset Light Infantry traced its origins to 1685, becoming one of the British Army’s long-serving county infantry regiments. The regiment adopted the title "Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry)" in honour of Prince Albert and served extensively across the British Empire. During the First World War, battalions of the regiment fought on the Western Front, Gallipoli, Mesopotamia and Palestine, suffering heavy casualties while earning numerous battle honours. Shoulder titles such as this became particularly common during the Great War, allowing rapid identification of regimental affiliation on Service Dress uniforms. Similar brass titles continued in use into the inter-war years and in some cases into the early stages of the Second World War before embroidered and economy patterns became more common.
The construction and style shown here — a curved die-struck brass title with twin lugs — is characteristic of WW1-period manufacture, and these titles were commonly worn by both regular and territorial battalions.
*Condition* Good original condition with service wear and age-related patina to the brass surface. Reverse retains both original lugs. Some light wear and minor age marks present commensurate with age and use. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
A classic original Great War-era British regimental shoulder title from one of Britain’s historic county infantry regiments.
