Uniform identification Volunteers

I have the attached photo received from Culleton cousins. I think they are brothers Charles Francis Culleton and James Culleton from Barntown, Co. Wexford?

Can you identify their uniforms…I don’t think they are WWI uniforms…perhaps Irish Volunteers? Might you be able to confirm?

Many thanks

Anne

The Irish war adds the following:

Irish Volunteers (c. 1913–1916) – the classic look

Typical features

• Jacket: Dark green or rifle-green tunic (often wool). Quality varies a lot.

• Trousers: Matching green, or sometimes civilian trousers early on.

• Headgear:

  • Slouch hat (most iconic)

  • Occasionally peaked cap or civilian hat

• Insignia:

  • “IV” collar badges

  • Irish harp badges (various patterns)

• Equipment:

  • Sam Browne belt (leather officer-style belt)

  • Bandolier or pouches

• Weapons: Lee-Enfield rifles, Mausers, shotguns, or pikes (especially 1916)

Important: Uniformity was poor. Mixed civilian + military dress is normal.

Easter Rising (1916) – field reality

During the Rising:

• Many Volunteers wore partial uniforms only

• Civilian coats, scarves, and boots are very common

• Armbands were sometimes used to identify units

• Equipment mismatches are historically correct

If it looks improvised — that’s a clue, not a flaw.

Post-Rising / War of Independence (1919–1921)

By this period (technically the IRA, not Volunteers):

• Less visible uniforms

• More civilian clothing for guerrilla warfare

• Caps and coats replace tunics

• Weapons carried discreetly

If you see no insignia + civilian dress + rifle, it may be later IRA rather than Volunteers.

Quick ID checklist

Ask yourself:

• Green tunic or civilian clothes?

• Slouch hat or cap?

• “IV” collar badges?

• Sam Browne belt?

• Formal pose (pre-1916) or street fighting (1916)?