Essex Tank
 

Hi, picked up this badge recently. It is the version were the vertical row of rivets where the gun ends are missing compared to the other version. I've included an image of both. My query is about the cloth backing, is it correct? It appears to have been roughly done, I can't imagine a collector being so crude, but who knows? The badge itself is a very crisp striking, the bolts on the drive and idler wheels are still there and it is very bright, thanks in advance Mike

Hi Mike, It is unusual to see the red backing. That would be associated with the infantry, not a Tank regiment. However, it may have been a personal modification.

Hi Bill, thanks for that, any idea about the crudeness? Mike

Hi Mike, not sure there is much more than a different die and striking to explain the "crudeness". There are repros of the badge around, some coming out of a well documented source in the UK.

Mike, may I copy your images. I would like to post them to a FB page.

Hi Bill, certainly, no problem, best wishes Mike

The red backing is described in a newspaper article when the Regiment first received the badges. Go to Essex-Armoured-soldiers-museum and look at the page titled The Early Years.

Hi John, thank you for that information, a very interesting site. Do you know which was the first badge of the two types? best wishes and thank you again, Mike

Sorry Mike, I do not. There were three makers that I know of; Scully, Birks and one unknown.