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#1
04-03-13, 07:18 PM
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Early SA Permanent Force Cross Belt badge or is it?
Hi All
Acquired this lovely piece to day from a fellow forum member, thanks Mike. The gun symbolised the army, the airforce had a similar piece with an eagle. There is a 3rd type with the Coat of Arms of SA. Just a little info on "the arrows" for those who do not know of their function. The correct name for them are "Pickers", originally used to clean the small hole to the barrel from the pan in a musket. They were attached to a chain so they would not be dropped and lost in the heat of a battle. They were also worn by the cavalry to "spike" the enemy artillery if they felt the captured guns might be re-taken, by a counter attack. They would be hammered into the Touch Hole and the feather section then snapped off. This would then render the gun useless. These shafts could later be bored out, as they were of a softer material. After the 1880's these became largely worn for ceremonial purposes only. As a footnote, I see Curson has this as "The left shoulder belt badge, adopted for the SA Field Artillery about 1923; discarded early thirties", Well here we go again! Brian Last edited by Brian Conyngham; 05-03-13 at 09:38 AM. 
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#2
04-03-13, 08:56 PM
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Hi Brian,
an interesting piece and background, thanks for sharing. What size would the badge be; is it 901 in Owen's? Iain
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C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre Last edited by iaindh; 04-03-13 at 09:18 PM.
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#3
05-03-13, 04:08 AM
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Morning Iain
Yes, 901 is the one. Brian
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#4
11-03-13, 09:02 AM
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Nice piece Brian, and still in great condition! Well done.
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