1895 / 1898 43rd / 52nd green field service cap badges query

[RWest]

Hello all,
My grandfather served in the Oxfordshire Light Infantry from 1895 to 1898. 1st Bn (43rd) 1895/1897, then 2nd Bn (52nd) 1897/1898, and I would like to source an undress cap badge appropriate to each period if possible.
I understand that the green folding field service cap was worn by the Oxfordshire Light Infantry battalions from 1897, preceded by the glengarry.
Could someone possibly please describe the sort of pattern, lugs, size of badge, and type of metal used on the field service undress caps that he might have worn?
Am I right in thinking that the 1st Bn and 2nd Bn badges of this time would still have showed the 43rd and 52nd insignia?
Lastly, how likely am I to be able to source an original of each type, or should I just aim for a reasonably priced re-strike.. Where would be the best place to look?
Sorry for so many questions....
Best regards
Robin

[NewCollector]

There will be much better informed people here than me but I believe the Field Cap appeared in 1894.

From 1898 both battalions wore the large Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry badge with lug fittings. Its basically the same badge as later ones which had sliders.

From 1894 they wore a 'small bugle', which might be the Pattern 10011 right hand strung bugle collar badge in gilding metal which had two lugs and probably a regular, oval-shaped bell.

Interesting to read what other members think (or even better, know) about this.

If I'm correct both are the first versions of quite common badges which have slightly different details in the badge and unique lug fittings. Once you've found them you could get both for under £30 but they turn up infrequently. I'm sure other members can recommend some sites to keep an eye on.

[Alan O]

Here it is chapter and verse:

OX&Bucks LI
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ctureid=133484

The round bell-end marks it out as any Victorian era badge rather than a later WW2 era FSC which was a plated collar badge.

Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1894-98

Regimental Chronicle 1894 1st Battalion Diary
1st April - A new pattern Field Service cap was issued to the NCOs and men of the regiment to replace the Glengarry cap.

Regimental Chronicle 1894
CHANGES IN EQUIPMENT, ISSUE OF CLOTHING,
during the year, the only change of any importance has been the issue of the new pattern cap, which was taken into wear on the 1st April, in place of the old Glengarry. The badge on this cap is a small and neat bugle.

Regimental Chronicle for 1898:-
A new and larger cap badge has been, approved for officers and men, and will be worn both on the Field Service cap and Foreign Pattern helmet.


http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ctureid=117417

[RWest]

Many thanks indeed Alan, also to the other contributor..
As the larger badge didn't actually enter into service until 1899 after my grandfather left the army, the one I need must then be just the smaller one.
Could I be a pain and ask another question?
There seem to be a few un-plated small bugle badges with the round bell end around being sold as collar badges. Is there a way to discriminate between later collar badges and original Victorian FSC badges?
Best regards
Robin

[NewCollector]

Thanks Alan, chapter and verse indeed. Is that a w/m Pattern 10011 badge?

[Alan O]

This is the 1930s-40s era bugle worn as a cap badge. The re-use of the smaller bugle in the Field Service cap seems to date from 1927:

Regimental Chronicle 1927
2nd Battalion:-
22nd August - Khaki Field Service Caps ordered to be replaced by all ranks with those of dark green colour as the former become unserviceable the small bugle(shoulder bugle size of whitemetal) to be worn with the latter'

It was originally a s/t but was nickel plated under regtl arrangements. The shape of the bugle's bell end is different from the Victorian era oval end. The lugs are plated.

The collar badges were changed to 3 lugs rather than the original 2. So if you see a badge with 3 lugs then it is a later collar and any badge with this style of bell end is either early collar or shoulder title. This bugle design was used by other regts as collar or s/ts as well as the OBLI.

As far as I know the OBLI wore nickel badges on their caps and not the gilding metal ones. These are either collar/shoulder title brass badges or Sherwood Ranger Yeomanry full sized bugles which were the same design as the OBLI 1898 cap badges but in gilding metal.

The story behind the regtl plating decision and the switch to the smaller bugle on the headdress is on the forum.

[RWest]

Many thanks again Alan,
I'm probably being a bit thick here but please could you clarify that to find the right badge as fitted to the OLI new 1894 FSC I need a Victorian small bugle badge with 2 lugs in nickel, not gilding metal?
Robin

[Alan O]

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ctureid=133484

The badge is nickel and the lugs are brass.

The 1930s brass s/ts were plated and hence have nickel plated lugs. The Victoran badges had brass lugs.

[RWest]

Brilliant, thanks Alan..