N.S.W. Volunteer Rifles 1870-80
The next major impetus for change occurred with the withdrawal of British troops from the Australian colonies in 1870.
The Sydney Battalion decided to make a change from the grey, to a British-looking scarlet tunic and dark blue trousers with scarlet pipings. The shako was retained but some years later it was replaced with a white helmet.
![](http://www.austbuttonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-24-at-8.21.55-pm.png)
Illustrated Sydney News, 26th October 1870 page 2.
The NSW government decided to raise its first Permanent Military Force (i.e. career/paid soldiers) consisting of two infantry companies and one artillery battery.
![](http://www.austbuttonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-24-at-8.49.14-pm.png)
Image courtesy of Noble Numismatics. This is shown on Cossum page 5, and presumably was for the Permanent forces. In that case, they date from 1871-73.
![](http://www.austbuttonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-24-at-9.19.14-pm.png)
The Sydney Morning Herald, 18th August 1871 page 4. The infantry uniform is described as red with white facings.
The permanent infantry lasted little over a year as the government declined to continue funding; therefore the majority of NSW defence still in the hands of volunteers.
![](http://www.austbuttonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-24-at-9.08.24-pm.png)
Image courtesy of Noble Numismatics. The button on the right shown on Cossum page 8, and is labeled as a general service button for NSW Volunteers.
Continued tomorrow.
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