Small British cap badge collection

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Guys, I thought that I would share with you my small collection of British cap badges, shoulder titles, etc. I have finally got around to buying a couple of Riker mounts to put them in. I will add a velvet backing to this display sometime. Some of these are actually WW1 badges, but most are WW2 issue. Only a couple are post war. Nearly all were Veteran acquired. Some are Officers Bronze, others are plastic, but most are Other ranks issue in gilding metal (Brass).
There are only a couple of repros, the Parachute Regt, PR India and the LRDG.
Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian Stevenson]

here is the second Riker mount.

[MH184]

Great stuff Ade,

You've some very choice cap badges in their an early REME a LRDG etc.

What is the RAMC badge with the flat bottom wreath, is it a Commonwealth Forces RAMC badge, I don't recall seeing one like it.

Kind regards,

Marcus

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Marcus, you are right, the RAMC pattern cap badge that you did not recognise is for the WW2 Canadian RAMC.
The LRDG is a duffer which I have worked on and now it makes a passable display or wearing peice for Living history events. The other duffer is the Parachute Regt (India). This is one I took the chance on buying at a general antiques fair for £5. I showed it to a dealer who sells "restrikes" and he confirmed it origins.
I would guess the rarest badge/s would be the WW1 Royal Naval Infantry battalion "Anson" cap badge and three shoulder titles, "Anson" and "RND" (Royal Naval Division)
Several of the badges came from a friend who is an ATS Veteran. She always kept a cap badge from her boyfriends. There was a dozen of 'em, plus two US collar dogs!
Cheers, Ade.

[Dirk]

Badges

Adrain- Very nice collection. You noted several were post-WWII. What do you look for that lets you know they are post WWII or restrikes. I've got several badges but have been unable to date them. Thanks.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Dirk, in 1953 with the death of the King George VIth, the Crown which features on many British cap badges changed in design. WW2 era badges feature "Kings Crown" and post 1953 feature "Queens Crown". (As a note, it is impossible to date if a badge is actually WW2 production or say 1950, unless there is some other design change. )
This photo shows as an example two Canadian cap badges, for the Royal Canadian Rgt. and the French Canadians. The Queens Crown is on the left. Kings Crown is on the right. The Royal Regt. is actually my only post WW2 badge apart from the afore mentioned two repros.
OK, that was the easy part!
Onto restrikes, this is harder. The problem with many of these is, as the name implies, the dies used are actually the originals. The best way to tell is the metal used, if gilding metal it is often a very "yellow" brass. (This is not a 100% rule. I have two Royal Engineers badges, both from different Vets, that are really "yellow" but are 100% WW2 issue. They can be seen in the 1st pic, third row on the right side. See the colour difference to the other badges?) The backs are often the best give-a-way. The edges of the badge will often be rough and sharp. Some badges are soft and will bend with finger pressure.
Makers marks are sometimes now added to the fastening lugs, this seems to be a fashion now, often a Birmingham makers mark.
Hope this helps you a bit? If you can post a pic of any of your badges I would be pleased to have a look at them?
Cheers, Ade.

[Dirk]

Thanks

Ade- Thank you for the great info. Was able to date my 9th Lancers badge right away with your info--I never even thought to look at crowns. I've got a few others that will be harder--17/21 Lancers and a RFC badge as well (both of which are held by two metal loops vice a central thick "pin"). I've also got a SWB badge (24th foot?) that I now think must be a restrike. I use mine,along with a few basic campaign medals, to fill in around my Britians Ltd soldier collection. Again thank you and very nice collection. Dirk

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Dirk, glad you found the info of use. I did not know how much you knew about the subject so I am glad I posted about the Crowns.
The Royal Flying Corps badge was replaced by the RAF badge around 1919. These are faked but originals are not rare either, so chances are you might have a good one.
The 17th/21st Lancers (now renamed Queens Royal Lancers I think?) are a local Regt to me. They recruit from the East Midlands of the UK. A friend of mine served with them as a tank driver. The badge is known in the Regt. as "The Motto". It is never called a cap badge by them. Bob gave me a telling off for calling it that It has to be the best known and most stunning badge worn by the British Army. These were worn from 1922 onwards. When metal cap badges were discontinued in the 1950's to be replaced by the awful "Staybrite" anodised aluminium plastic looking things, many Regt's had produced at Regimental expense metal replacement badges. I know 17th/21st did this, so these can be hard to date.
Cheers, Ade.

[Dave Suter]

I have a few of those myself. When I started collecting I just collected 'militaria' period. Let me know if you want to see the ones I have and I'll take a picture of 'em for you.

[Adrian Stevenson]

I have a few of those myself. When I started collecting I just collected 'militaria' period. Let me know if you want to see the ones I have and I'll take a picture of 'em for you.

Hi Dave, sure, please post some pics I did not know your great collection included these as well
I must say that it is rare for me to buy a British cap badge. Most of mine have been gifts from Vets. I think most of the ones I have bought have been the plastic ones. Not many Vets retained those as they were universally disliked. My Plastic Parachute Regt cap badge cost me £45 two years ago these now sell for £65.
Cheers, Ade.

[Dirk]

17/21 and Others

Ade- Here is some scans of my 17/21, RFC and SWB all brass color despite the silver look to the scan. I also like the 17/21--went to their museum when I was stationed in the UK in the late 80's. Have both units in Britians soliders--the 17th from the 1930's and the 21st around 1910. Again great thread!

[Dirk]

Again

Ii

[Dave Suter]

Well, here's what I have. Not even sure what some of 'em are.

[Ian Hulley]

Dirk,please post shots of the backs....the 17/21st Lancers and especially the Royal Flying Corps have been HEAVILY reproduced...the RFC,if real,is a really valuable badge,I hope Adrian agrees. Great collection Ade,I used to have a lot myself,still got quite a few bits 'n' bobs kicking round along with my Grandads A.R.P. buttons,badge etc AND 1915 Royal Naval Division Cap,medals and papers.

Cheers,Ian.

[Dirk]

Rfc

Ian-Per your request. I have no idea if it is real. Just paid a few pounds years ago. Dirk