Anodised Seaforth Highlanders
 

In Chris Marsh's 'No Bull' work, the Seaforth badge illustrated has three fixing lugs arranged in a triangle. Two at the top of the antlers and one in the middle of the scroll.

Is the arrangement of four lugs in a square as shown, just a makers variation? I've come across a couple of 4 lugged versions, but not a three lugged version... yet.

(Just to be clear I'm talking about the badge with vertical lines on the Cuidich'n Righ scroll and without the thistle centre piece).
Thanks
Mark

Hi Mark,
Here are some pics of the 3 lugged badge. If my memory serves me right, this was the actual badge illustrated in Chris Marsh's book.
The 3 lugged badge does appear to be a lot scarcer than the 4 lugged badge and does have that extra sense of authenticity as it is maker marked (S & W Ltd), please see attachments.
Regards
Colin

The 4 lugged badge..Queens own Highlanders.
Tony.

Hi Colin
Yours is the ideal badge and as you say gives total confidence. No argument and none of that nagging doubt.

I have two 4 x lugged examples. I was hoping mine were the real thing but just with 4 lugs instead of three. I was also going to let one go soon as I don't need two.

Interestingly their 4 lug placement is too wide to fit the brass backing plate used for the Queen's Own Highlanders and/or Highlanders two-part badge. That small fact had kept my hopes up that they were different enough to indeed be Seaforths.
Mark

Hi Tony
Thanks for showing. I have the badge you show in both my QOHLDRS and Highlanders collection. The scroll is different though. The badge I've shown in post 1 has the scroll with vertical lines as per the Seaforths badge. The fact that it has four lugs has raised that damned doubt.
Cheers
Mark

Mark see the difference now you've pointed it out.
Cheers Tony.

Hi Mark.
Going thro' my box of badges I realised I also have a 2 lugged badge and also a 4 lugged badge.
like yours the 4 lugged badge does not fit on the brass backing plate of the Queen's own Highlanders badge.
Please see 2 lugged badge below.
Regards
Colin

Interesting Colin, a two, three and four lugger. You've muddied the waters now! I still like your Smith & Wright the best though - that's the one to get to be absolutely sure.

Gents, agreed as above there are 2, 3 & 4 lugged versions of the anodised Seaforth Highlanders badge. The only one I've ever seen maker marked, is the Smith & Wright example;- with 3 lugs.

The 4 lugged version is of course nothing to do with the Queens Own Highlanders backing plate - they are completely different badges - the QOH badge design obviously being taken from the original Seaforths badge, but with the addition of the separate thistle devise between the antlers and removal of the 'seeding stripes' on the strap bearing the motto. The QOH stag is also flatter in relief, being from a completely different die (if that makes sense).

And as Colin states above, the most authentic Seaforths is the S&W marked example in my opinion.

Attached mine purely for completeness

Regards all chaps

Bess

Hi Gents,
Just to confuse things a bit more! I have found another 2 lugged Seaforth highlanders badge.
Both of the badges are unmarked, the left hand badge is of higher quality and has typical Gaunt style lugs.
The right hand badge is from the same die of the Smith & Wright 3 lugged badge, but is as I have stated has 2 lugs and is unmarked.
Another one to collect!
Best Regards
Colin

Bugger . . .

Hi Bess,
Just to complete my Q. o. Highlanders selection
Here is the pipers badge ( maker Marked J.R Gaunt London)
A 1 piece badge ( most likely Indian in manufacture).
and a gold anodised stags head missing the top half of the badge. I would imagine manufactured in error.
Regards
Colin

Hi Colin,

Not quite India but M. Azam & Sons of Lahore (and what was then) West Pakistan.

Chris

Azam & Sons Catalogue from the 1970s. Likely that some Corps of Drums and Regimental Band and Arm badges were ordered by and supplied to some British Army units.

Tim

Thanks Tim,
Might be interesting to start a thread on what members have got in the way of anodised Azzam cap badges!
Regards
Colin