Baluchistan Volunteer Rifles Mufti Or Collar badge
 

A small blackened badge with white metal highlights showing through for the Baluchistan Volunteer Rifles, judging from it small size, 25 mm by 25 mm and rear pin fixing do we think this is a Mufti badge or could it be a collar badge. Any thoughts welcome.

Regards, Simon.

A dealer in the UK is selling a very similar piece, described as 'silvered white metal, 40 mm, possibly officers. So 25 mm could well be a collar badges. Indian cap badges are often quite small. The pin back may mean that it is intended for the pagri on a slouch hat or something similar, rather than a 'mufti' badge as you suggest.

Peter,

Saw that one on his website, was unsure regarding the pin back fitting although it would certainly be an answer to to the cleaning requirements of a uniform in that part of the world.

Simon

Yes, pin backs are tricky, especially when discussing IA and AFI units. There is a tendency to want to say 'Oh, for a turban!' and assume 'sepoy' or 'mess servant' or 'follower', as appropriate, but in point of fact we just don't know.

Pinbacks are very handy. Just yestderday I added a nice gilt pin to one of my caps, guided by the two small green marks left over from last time I mounted it. Clearly, I could have washed the hat in between, but didn't.

Like so many Indian items, one is often forced to fall back on Sister Mary's explanation of God: 'It's a mystery!' ;)

Many thanks Peter, it will remain as an 'unknown use' at this stage.:D

Regards, Simon.