In 1855 the uniform changed from tailed coatees to tunics. Shoulder-belts were discontinued and replaced by white leather waist-belts with clasps. Regulations issued in 1855 specify the central gilt round piece as having the regimental number beneath a crown, in silver, with the regimental title in silver in the outer circle. The 1864 Dress Regulations, however, allowed special devices for 28 regiments which included the King’s. In a booklet published in 1994 by the Military Historical Society, Lelia Ryan, the acknowledged expert on officer’s waist belt clasps, says that she has never come across any of these 28 regiments having anything other than their own special devices.
So it is safe to assume that the King’s Regiment adopted this design from 1855 and retained it until 1881 when the title of the regiment was changed so that the outer ring had THE LIVERPOOL REGT. on the upper part, and THE KINGS on the lower part.
