Mountain troops shoulder title

[Marc verstraete]

Is the British or US? Is it scarce?

Marc

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Marc, I have never seen one before, but it certainly looks British made. Although this tends to be an over used term nowadays in descriptions, it has got to be classed more as "rare" than scarce in my opinion?

Cheers, Ade.

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Hello Marc,

Yes, it's a rare shoulder title. I've never seen one of these before too, so thanks for showing

Could we see the reverse side please? It looks ok from the front but I've got a feeling about this one

Thanks, from Jack.

[Bob Hunter*]

Not US. I'm thinking Indian Army...

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Yeah, I think there were five Indian mountain artillery batteries, although I'd wait until Marc Sheriff gets here as he's the man on this kind of info

[Marc verstraete]

Thank you for the info so far. Here is the back. Value??

[Guy]

Sorry Marc,

I don't like it. I think it could be a reproduction. Try burning a thread of the black backing mesh.

Yours, Guy.

[SHEARING-CROSS]

Hiya , I have seen this title before but only in black n white photos ,so cant comment on if the colours are correct but the title does exist ,
very keen to here more on this title
thanks for showing ,Michael.

[Ian adams]

Quick note to say I have seen a Mountain Artillery title...a while back...it was yellow thread on very dark blue or virtually black with serifs. Sadly it didnt quite look like the one shown and tend to agree with the previous suggestion that its a reproduction. Its a very scarce title...just wish I had one to show off. No such luck. Regards to all, Ian

[SHEARING-CROSS]

HIYA , i dont feel qualified to say its a copy as i have never held an original one ,
just a couple of observations ,
i have notticed on e,bay and arms fairs a lot of the very scarce end of R.A cloth titles appearing over the last few months most of these i would not be happy with
but ....... i believe a very large original cloth R.A collection has just been sold off on to the market ,
Michael.

[Marc Sherriff]

Should be yellow on NAVY BLUE, worn by the Batteries of 1st Mountain Regiment RA and 3rd Mountain Regiment RA, until replaced by the 52nd Lowland Division badge incorporating the word MOUNTAIN. A red on blue version was worn by members of 85th Mountain Regt RA (East Anglian) (TA) in Italy 1943 to 1945. No Indian Artillery connection.

Not a colour or style of manufacture that I like. I now wonder how long it will be before a red on blue title is found.

[lnijherald]

Does this ring a bell:
It is made by Andrew Butler (ebay seller hanbut1 I believe).
The type of cloth used is different from wartime cloth it seems, not as thick. The reverse has all properties of a reproduction, but I'm not a real expert when it comes to insignia.

Regards, Luc

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Could we see the reverse side please? It looks ok from the front but I've got a feeling about this one

Thanks for the photo of the reverse. Now I know my feelings were justified. It is indeed a fake piece, in my opinion.

Thanks, from Jack.

[Marc verstraete]

Thank you for the coments. I must say the front of the title looks very real to me but when comparing to more common titles I have and I know are good there is indeed a big diference on the back. Most "real" ones I have do not have a aditional cloth on the back. Here a extra picture taken in natural light.

Marc

[Guy]

Sorry marc, I dont agree.

I was certain it was a repro from the front view but as Jack says the rear view clinched it. This title is virtually identical in manufacture to some of the cunnard titles. I will post a Light Tank Squadron later and you will see what I mean.

Generally the lettering on hand embroidered, British made titles is absolutely superb and doesn't actually look hand done. The Indians are now aping the british style of embroidery (the letter o is the best place to see this) but they are unable (as yet) to execute the lettering perfectly.

As for re-enforcing materials on the back of a title this is very common on originals too. Most of these repro titles now use 100% natural fibres for the base and embroidery but very often the black backing cloth is polyester.

Below is an original, hand embroidered Rough Riders title. Look at the execution of the lettering and the way the back closely mirrors the front. Allthough hard to see this title has a black muslin backing cloth and starched reverse to hols the embroidery in place. Hope this all helps.

Yours, Guy.