This rather stern-looking private of the 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment of Foot was probably photographed in Ireland not long before the regiment's deployment to India in 1880.

 
The photograph is an excellent study of the uniform adopted in 1877 and used through 1881. His tunic cuffs bear one good conduct stripe and a crossed rifles marksman's badge. His home service helmet - the type adopted in 1878 - sits on the studio table next to him and is adorned with the 1868 pattern shako plate which bears the regimental number "77" at its center. His waist belt also bears the regimental pattern clasp with the regimental number at its center.

This soldier probably never saw any active field service. The last time the 77th had been to war was in the Crimea and it would not again to the field until the Anglo-Boer War.

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Carte de Visite
Unknown Photographer
United Kingdom - Probably Ireland
c. 1880