Real Soldiers or Actors ?

[DGFHS-vol]

DGFHS have a small archive of old photos donated to the Society from time to time. I'm attempting to index them but this photo of two soldiers has me puzzled.
One suggestion is that they are Dumfries Rifle Volunteers  mid-19thC aother is that they are Actors for a stage show or pageant.
The badge on their caps is nothing like the Dumfries Volunteers’ badge.
Which is the most likely description - any suggestions would be appreciated.

[AJ100]

Hello,
I'm no expert on military uniforms but looking at your picture the two men seem to be too exact in their detail to be anything other than the real thing. The musket slingas are missing, which, if done for a stage production, I suspect would be there.
I think they are genuine soldiers from around 1860. The cap badges, as you say, are nothing like the Dumfries Volunteers' badge pictured. So either they are not of that regiment or the regiment changed cap badges prior to your picture. I suspect the former.
Not a great deal of help, I know but it may be of some use.

Kind regards

AJ

[DGFHS-vol]

I think they are genuine soldiers from around 1860. The cap badges, as you say, are nothing like the Dumfries Volunteers' badge pictured. So either they are not of that regiment or the regiment changed cap badges prior to your picture. I suspect the former.

Thanks for that AJ you have reinforced some vague ideas I had but didn't mention.

So I'm now adding photo clips of caps, belt buckless ad cuffs insignia. I don't have access to the original so this the best image resolution I can offer when working from a digital image. 
Possibly our military specialist here could offer a suggestions of what regiment this is if not Dumfriesshire Rifle Volunteers. There is obviously the possibility that they aren't even from a UK regiment. 
Thanks for any suggestions offered.

[AJ100]

Thanks for the blow-ups. I'm certainly not an expert on military uniforms but I feel sure someone on here is - they're a knowledgeable lot.  One thing struck me - is there a possibility they are not British? The type of beards, the insignia - smacks of forign to me, but an expert would tell you.

Regards

AJ

[km1971]

They are genuine soldiers – albeit part-timers - and British. The Volunteers were created privately as shooting and drill clubs in the second half of the 1850s when we were under threat of invasion from France. They came under the Lord Lt of the county until the 1880s, so the local records office may have something. The star on the left cuff is usually for five years service.

One of the badges in the second photograph was sold by Bosleys in 2008 -

123     Scottish. 1st Dumfries Rifle Volunteer Corps OR’s shako plate circa 1864-76.
A good scarce die-stamped white metal example. Crowned curled bugle with thistle to centre. Two (pinched) loops to reverse. VGC (£150 - £200)
1st Dumfries RV became a VB of the Royal Scots Fusiliers on Friday 1st July 1881; transferred to King’s Own Scottish Borderers as their 3rd VB in May 1887.

But it describes a different badge centre. Note VB = Volunteer Battalion. They became Territorials in 1908.

Try the RSF and KOSB museums. If you have the badge you need to take a better picture so people can read the centre

Ken

[DGFHS-vol]

They are genuine soldiers – albeit part-timers - and British. The Volunteers were created privately as shooting and drill clubs in the second half of the 1850s when we were under threat of invasion from France. They came under the Lord Lt of the county until the 1880s, so the local records office may have something. The star on the left cuff is usually for five years service.
Ken

Thanks very much Ken for your very informative response.  We can now record the photos properly.