Northern Rhodesia Police - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

blackie131 · #1 26-09-13, 05:02 PM

Hi,
Was down at the local Fair today and seen this set of Northern Rhodesia Police Badges, Pips and Buttons and couldn't resist them.
The Cap Badge and Buttons are stamped JR Gaunt London.
Cost £30 for the set.
Did I do ok? Cheers

Traist · #2 26-09-13, 06:41 PM

Very nice find. I think you did well on the price too. Regards Andrew

Milmed · #3 27-09-13, 05:47 AM

I see a 'R' above the eagles on the collars... have not noticed that before on NRP collars. Are these maybe police reserve collars?

Steven

Traist · #4 27-09-13, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milmed

I see a 'R' above the eagles on the collars... have not noticed that before on NRP collars. Are these maybe police reserve collars?

Steven

Hi Steven, that is correct. Regards Andrew

Rockape · #5 27-09-13, 12:31 PM

Yes, a nice find for the price!

irish · #6 28-09-13, 02:13 PM

Nice find, I had wondered as to the reason for the R on the badge's as one in my collection had this. It was assumed by me R for Rhodesia, even though it never made much sense, Reserve makes complete sense.

Best
Jack

1314 · #7 28-09-13, 03:38 PM

A good purchase,the KC Cap Badge alone usually goes for about twice the price of the Lot.
Northern Rhodesia Police Reserve - a short lived organization,extant 1953 to November 1964,only cap badge (all ranks,including blue enamelled version for Gazetted Officers ) and chrome shoulder titles (NRPR) bore the Reserve indication,buttons were as for regulars.Amongst other duties they manned the Force Air Wing and as such,whilst on the ground at least,wore berets,with badge.
(There was also a Special Constabulary but their ' uniform ' consisted of an armband (SC) and a short baton.They were never mobilized,perhaps just as well.

irish · #8 28-09-13, 05:20 PM

Having a closer look at the collars it appears the center bird motif is not left or right oriented?? However the fish in it's talon's are. So a matched pair.

Nice group

ebro · #9 28-09-13, 05:57 PM

The bird's heads are opposite facing as well as the fish. A very nice matched pair.
Eddie

1314 · #10 28-09-13, 07:44 PM

Collar badges were made with left and right facing fish eagles.They were always worn with the eagles facing inwards,ie facing each other and woe betide he,or she,who displayed them otherwise.This was viewed as almost criminal and resulted in the miscreant being saddled with a round of drinks in the Mess or a visit to the Chief Inspector's Office.Both were painfull,albeit in different ways.The Mess was large and the Chief Inspector nasty.

1314 · #11 28-09-13, 07:46 PM

Further to the above - as the eagles faced each other,the fish were opposed.

irish · #12 29-09-13, 02:37 AM

Ah yes, I can now make out the direction of Birds head on left badge, my eyes are poor.

Best
Jack

Madziro · #13 30-09-13, 08:04 AM

Excellent find! Have posted scans of the small collection I have, for comparison / interest.

1314 · #14 30-09-13, 02:58 PM

Thanks for the display.
The Brass button (second from left,top row bearing the ' Diversi Genere... ' tablet could be either an early (1919 - 1932 ) NRP issue,or a later 1932 onwards ,Northern Rhodesia Regiment issue.No way to distinguish I'm afraid.
There is an earlier NRP brass button,worn briefly from 1913 to 1919which bears ' Northern Rhodesia Police ' on th tablet.This is rarely found.

The brass NRP shoulder title was worn from 1912 to 1952,and the chrome rank bars from 1953 onwards thus ( Inspector 1 on each epaulette,Senior Inspector 2 bars ditto,Chief Inspector 3 bars ditto).

irish · #15 30-09-13, 08:56 PM

Nice tidy group, thanks for the pictures.

Jack