Some enlightenment please.

[KOMalta]

I was going through some dealers list and twice I came across what I always regarded as collar badges worn by the Royal Malta Militia, which in fact they were! However in the dealers description they state that they were also worn by the Bandsmen of the 62nd Wiltshire Regt between 1873-81 as stated in Churchills study. Actually one dealer does not mention any connection to Malta!

My question is was the crown on the badge already in use during the years stated? and would anyone have anything proving such claims - besides Churchills?

Attached is an image of the collar badge in question.

Thank you.
Vincent