MERCHANT NAVY HAT BADGES
 

Hi,
A recent find at my local market. I was told by the vendor that these bullion badges were owned by an Australian Merchant Navy man and are ww2 vintage. Any info on both these badges would be most welcome.
Jim

P & O - a nice, original bullion badge

http://www.pandosnco.co.uk/deck_officers.html

The other one is a generic merchant navy badge

Note: cheap chinese reproductions are all over e-bay.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. Would you know the rank of the Officers who would be entitled to wear either of these badges? Also, could these have been worn during WW2? The cap was made by S W Silver & Co LONDON.
Jim

Both cap badges would have been worn by all ranks from cadet/apprentice upwards to fleet commodore. Like with the Royal Navy/Commonwealth navies the cap badge worn by officer cadet/mid shipman up to admiral of the Fleet remains the same and only rank insignia (epaulettes/shoulder boards/lapel badges/sleeve lace) would indicate rank and trade.

I cant say if theses particular examples are WW2 vintage but the design of badge was certainly worn in thet era.

The Generic Merchant Navy badge is of the design generally known as the Bombay style and has broader more open laurel leaves (or are they feathers, I've never really been sure?) than the more common and traditional style of MN cap badge. I'm not sure when the "Bombay " style was introduced and whether it was pre or post WW2? Maybe someone else knows the answer to that.

Regards Tony

MERCHANT NAVY HAT BADGES
 

Below, the more traditional generic MN officers cap badge.

Regards

Tony

Thank you Tony. you have been most helpful.
regards
Jim

Does anyone know when the 'Bombay' term and description was introduced.
Is there any evidenced based reference material to support the theory?
Thanks
Barry