Collar Badge Fittings
 

Hi All,

Does anyone know when the anodised collar badges changed from having the single post fitting with the brass plate and split pin to the current version with the two pins and butterfly clips?

Thanks a lot,

Michael

The change was made when FAD (No2) Dress was introduced in and around 2016.

Thanks Alan,

Any idea why? Is the materiel thinner so it's an easier way of fitting them?

Just curious.

Michael

Using clutch pins causes less damage to the uniform.
The change also includes shoulder titles with clutch pin fittings although these were introduced before FAD.
Tim

Thanks Tim,

That makes sense.

Michael

One of the big reasons was to reduce tailoring costs. Previously there was payment required by ‘contractors’ (unit tailors long gone apart from the Guards) for the piercing of holes and then whip stitching for collar badges. Also some collar badges required two holes rather than one, and orientation was sometimes different too. Consideration was even given to transferees having to change jackets because of holes. By changing the collar badge fixture to a pin that could pierce the cloth it removed all these pitfalls and left tailors contractors largely required to just fitting badges of rank and for the most part just one qualification badge where appropriate, albeit with a few exceptions. As always, it was essentially a cost savings measure.

Thanks Toby,

It makes perfect sense when you explain it like that, I hadn't thought of the cost implications in that way.

Thanks a lot for the help,

Michael

It’s such a sad indictment of the priorities of those who know the cost of everything but the value of nothing....

These clutch and post fittings first appeared in the 1920s for the US military, although the clutches were considerably different from today.
They did not entirely replace pin back (brooch) or screw back insignia until the 1970s or so. The only problem with them is the clutches, which often get loose and are frequently lost.

CB

I have a pair of RGJ black anodised collars with pin fittings . But rather than having the butterfly clip back they have a round green plastic disc. I have the bag that they were issued in somewhere. Will put an image up later.

As promised,sorry for the delay. Original bag and the plastic backing.clips