Can anyone identify regiment and approximate date

[John915]

Good morning,

I'm wondering does the long tassel on the sword have any significance - or is it just decorative?

It was originally a safety device in battle. You place the wrist through the loop, tighten the slider and the sword should then remain with you even if pulled out of your hand.

But in his case, purely decorative.

Is it just me or does he look to old to be serving in the military.

For the regular army maybe, I can't see his rank but the sword would indicate he is an officer. The militia had many venerable old men in charge. They didn't like to let go of the reins, figuratively speaking.

John915

[maddys52]

Thanks again John - interesting to learn something new.

[jim1]

Assuming he was local he would have been in a Batt. of the Northumberland Militia.

[stpud2011]

Thanks everyone for your expertise and all the information. I will add it to my research as I am tracing a particular album and this is one of the chaps from the album. You never know I may eventually find out who he is.
https://sites.google.com/site/leedsandbradfordstudios/home/origins-of-a-victorian-album

Thanks
Steve

[John915]

Good evening,

Research shows that 5th foot as they were then had several militia and volunteer units.

The militia which I believe this man to be were the Northumberland Light Infantry militia and between 1854/1882 the Northumberland artillery Militia. The pillbox hat and the dates would fit with the artillery unit.

I can't get a really clear look at his buttons even when blown up but they look like the Northumberlands grenade badge.

John915

Added; the artillery militia were based in South Shields.