India - 1st Battalion Assam Rifles Blackened Brass Shoulder Title

A good scarce blackened brass example to the 1st Battalion, Assam Rifles. Two integral loops to the reverse. Very nicely cast and of some quality. Worn by all ranks from 1917 to date. However, this has some real quality to it, so possibly an example as worn by an officer.

The Assam Rifles came into being in September 1917 when the existing Military Police Battalions in North Eastern India were all designated as "Assam Rifles". Initially there were four battalions, rising to a 5th in 1920, subsequent battalions were added post independence and rose to over 40. Most of the units heavily recruited Gurkhas and they fed the Gurkha Brigade with recruits through both World Wars. They are a para-military force rather than part of the Indian arrmy. Whilst the cap badge did not differentiate between the battalions, they had their own shoulder titles. The 1st Assam Rifles were from 1925 affiliated with the 2GR and 9GR. After 1950, they were affiliated with the Assam Regiment. The 1st Battalion saw action in the Chin Hills during the WW2 Burma campaign.

"Insignia of Gurkha Units in India and Burma up to 1948" Gurkha Museum Publication (March 2016) p38 refers.

Comm BoHa (334)

Code: 66786