Manchester Regiment OSD
 

Somebody asked on a recent thread, why I collect Cap Badges?

This is why.... They are an art form worn by some of Britain's Finest!

Why they ever discarded this badge for a Boy Scouts "fleur de lys" beats me??

Andy

The regiment had worn their fleur de lys actually before the Boy Scouts had been formed, but, the city coat of arms is certainly very attractive.

I always thought the ( Boy ) Scouts badge was based on the Army Scouts badge.

P.B.

I posted this particular OSD to illustrate the workmanship and detail, just look at the swirls upon which the supporters are both stood, the facial features and you can tell that they are Bees on the sphere at the top of the badge.

Andy

Agree it is a work of art. Design, content and quality is what got me started collecting British badges. It was a bit later that the history and lineage of the units came, for myself anyway. I still acquire pieces because of their look.

Given the date of this badge, you would certainly expect to see the seven bumble bees, as this is merely the cities coat of arms, those particular bees represent the "hive" of industry within the city during the nineteenth century, they continue into the present and can be seen throughout the city today.
The fact that the regiment chose the cities coat of arms as a badge, proved to be it's downfall, as a regimental badge, I think that was a mistake, it made a most attractive badge, the regiment, thought otherwise.