The superconducting energy gaps of small particles (1–10 μm) of 2H–NbS2 and 2H–NbSe2 have been measured by far-infrared (FIR) transmission spectroscopy. Comparison of these results with previous FIR measurements made on millimetre-size single crystals of 2H–NbSe2 validates the use of the novel method of sample preparation used here. Comparison of the gap frequencies (νg) with the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) determined by magnetic susceptibility measurements indicates that 2H–NbS2, unlike 2H–NbSe2, exhibits non-Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS)-like behaviour, with hνg/kTc = 2.3.