British gunners with spiked headgear firing

These pictures of British gunners pre-date WW1 but who are they, what are they firing and where? The shots were probably taken in Sussex (perhaps Shoreham, Seaford or Eastbourne). Comments greatly appreciated.
M

 

They're wearing the British Home Service helmet which is detailed on this site here: http://www.militarysunhelmets.com/2013/the-british-home-service-helmet Closer examination of the picture leads me to believe they're wearing the model with the ball top piece (see third picture on the helmet website) This wasn't adopted by the RA artillery until 1881 so your pictures have to date later than that. (Some sources state the ball was adopted due the danger the spike posed to artillery horse's eyes when girthing up or to other gunnumbers when limbering/unlimbering the field piece)
It looks like they're firing 9 pr 8 cwt RML pieces. This is a list of artillery used during the Victorian period : http://www.victorianforts.co.uk/art/gun2.htm so the piece in the picture would be under the RML (Rifled Muzzle Loader) section as the guns in the pictures are muzzle loaders.

 

May be the British Home Service late 19thc. The hat was adapted from Foreign Service helmet worn in India mid 19thc.

 

Many thanks for the helpful replies.
On the basis of others in the collection, I believe the shots date from the early 1900s.
M

 

Further to the images, did this kind of artillery fire blanks as well as shells?
Can one tell from the pictures what they are firing?
M

 

Here's some American ones.

I guess every one at the time thought the Germans were just soooo cool

http://www.nyc-techwriters.com/militaria/american_helmets1.htm