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-   -   British South Africa Police, badged, arm band? (https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56189)

Phil2M 25-08-16 09:43 AM

British South Africa Police, badged, arm band?
 
1 Attachment(s)
Hi all,

Any ideas on this one, please?

The cap badge is attached by its lugs and is gilt plated. Is it definitely an arm band (mourning band)? If so why is the badge attached, is it official (for the death of a Royal perhaps) or perhaps worn by a family member at the officer's own funeral? Or is it the band from a type of headdress?

I can't measure it at present.

Thanks in advance for any help,

Phil

Unknownsoldier 25-08-16 09:50 AM

My thought was SAP reservist, like the farmers etc in the 80s. Did they all get uniforms?

johnG 25-08-16 11:17 AM

Hi Phil,

According to an illustration in R.Hamley's book 'The Regiment. The History and Uniform of the BSA Police', this is a helmet badge, being the first metal helmet badge of the Force, the design of which was based on the reverse of the British South Africa Company's medal. Worn initially on the grey felt hat and not on the helmet until the 1920's, it was replaced in 1937 by a badge very similar in design.

There is no mention in Hamley's excellent book of it being mounted or used in any form other than as mentioned above, and I conclude that what you have there is something put together for a personal reason, a mourning band to be worn at the funeral of a one time colleague perhaps.

Hope all is well with you,

John

ruwa 05-09-16 05:32 PM

BSAP Cap Badge
 
Could this possibly be a cut down FEZ as worn by the African BSAP members in the early days?

Phil2M 05-09-16 11:52 PM

All very interesting replies. I have made a note of the ID and dates of use, thanks John. I hope you are keeping well, its been a while since we have been in touch.

I will have to look further into Fez and Reservists. I have bought one book and hope to get hold of another soon (budgeting).

Thanks,

Phil

1314 06-09-16 07:52 AM

BSAP - Arm Band?
 
Not directly relevant but in the Northern Rhodesia Police the black felt backing to badges of rank, shoulder titles and collar dogs came from otherwise unserviceable R & F fezzes.

guBulawayo 09-09-16 04:43 PM

Looks very much like a cut down Fez

Wayne

Phil2M 09-09-16 06:25 PM

The edges are not as tapered as they look in the picture, they are actually quite straight.

guBulawayo 10-09-16 09:02 AM

The fez does not taper all that much though it seems like it in this pic of the one I used to have, the material looks the same.

Wayne

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/m...20SU%20Fez.jpg


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