Australian Unofficial Badges - WW1

[slick_mick]

Hi Guys,

Having been influenced by the thread started by Donny about the unofficial 10th Light horse collars, I thought I'd start a thread dedicated to unofficial Australian badges worn during World War 1.

Feel free to discuss those badges here and post pictures. I thought It would be handy to have that all in one thread (I hope that's ok with you Mike).

Mick

[slick_mick]

[slick_mick]

Has anyone ever seen opposing collars?

Mick

[slick_mick]

Unofficial hat badge or maybe trench art?

Anyone have any ideas?

[slick_mick]

[slick_mick]

[slick_mick]

[slick_mick]

[slick_mick]

I have only ever seen one of these and that's the one in the Australian War Memorial.

I'd rate this is as super, super rare and maybe seen once in a blue moon.

[slick_mick]

[Donny B.]

That 2LH badge looks interesting! Is the Rising Sun portion of the badge cast?

Donny B

[slick_mick]

Here's a picture of the back of it.

Mick

[Donny B.]

It must be a cast badge,eh? It is interesting that there is an impression of the crown on the back but the only sign of it on the front is the two little perforations that often appear on the dome of it. The "IAN" of AUSTRALIAN and "COM" of COMMONWEALTH look to be either quite worn or flattened in the manufacturing process. I stick to what I know and I am a novice at badges, but unless I had information to the contrary, in my collection I would be thinking trench art. What a lovely little piece, though!

Donny B.

[slick_mick]

I agree - I'm reluctant to also say if it was worn as a badge or not myself unless I had some providence.

Mick

[Donny B.]

I could imagine someone wearing it proudly on their hat. Does it appear as though there were lugs on it at one time?

Here is another unofficial badge to go with your previous lot.

Donny B