Time I started put a bit of effort into contributing, especially as Jim's prompted.
There are many "variations" in British army cap badges, some which are of major importance - such as the change of crown in the design, which dates the badge to a particular monarch's reign or at least narrows it down to a succession of monarchs who used the same design.
Other variations such as major changes of design, addition of the title "Royal", changes of metals or material used to manufacture the badge, design or manufacturing faults such as mistaken use of crown instead of coronet in the design date a badge or at least constitute a major variation.
Some variations seem to be ignored, & of course there are small manufacturers variations which are of no great relevence, although perhaps research into contract dates may help to date the badge by manufacturer.
I'll post some of my badges & "research" (usually just a reference to Kipling & King or Gaylor), in no particular order, & showing variations large & small.
Here goes with the Gordon Highlanders........
The regiment was formed in 1881 by amalgamation of 75th Stirlingshire & 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiments of Foot (it has recently been further amalgamated, I've little knowledge of the recent amalgamations & insignia, so they don't feature in what I'm posting).
The 92nd came out top dog in terms of name & badge, despite being the junior of the 2 component regiments - the 92nd were raised in 1794 by the Duke of Gordon & the stag's head issuing from a ducal coronet was the family crest, the ivy was the badge of the Gordon family.
The motto "Bydand" is lowland Scots dialect which can be translated as "Watchful".
It appears as one word, "BYDAND" but there was a variation in which the motto appears as 2 words, "BY DAND", stated by Gaylor to be a manufactureers error.
In 1958 with the formation of the Highland Brigade, the Gordon's regimental pattern badge was ousted by the brigade pattern, but resumed again in 1969.
The badges illustrated are those worn by ranks below sergeant:
There are many "variations" in British army cap badges, some which are of major importance - such as the change of crown in the design, which dates the badge to a particular monarch's reign or at least narrows it down to a succession of monarchs who used the same design.
Other variations such as major changes of design, addition of the title "Royal", changes of metals or material used to manufacture the badge, design or manufacturing faults such as mistaken use of crown instead of coronet in the design date a badge or at least constitute a major variation.
Some variations seem to be ignored, & of course there are small manufacturers variations which are of no great relevence, although perhaps research into contract dates may help to date the badge by manufacturer.
I'll post some of my badges & "research" (usually just a reference to Kipling & King or Gaylor), in no particular order, & showing variations large & small.
Here goes with the Gordon Highlanders........
The regiment was formed in 1881 by amalgamation of 75th Stirlingshire & 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiments of Foot (it has recently been further amalgamated, I've little knowledge of the recent amalgamations & insignia, so they don't feature in what I'm posting).
The 92nd came out top dog in terms of name & badge, despite being the junior of the 2 component regiments - the 92nd were raised in 1794 by the Duke of Gordon & the stag's head issuing from a ducal coronet was the family crest, the ivy was the badge of the Gordon family.
The motto "Bydand" is lowland Scots dialect which can be translated as "Watchful".
It appears as one word, "BYDAND" but there was a variation in which the motto appears as 2 words, "BY DAND", stated by Gaylor to be a manufactureers error.
In 1958 with the formation of the Highland Brigade, the Gordon's regimental pattern badge was ousted by the brigade pattern, but resumed again in 1969.
The badges illustrated are those worn by ranks below sergeant:
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