Aberdeen University O.T.C
 

Hi Gents,
I've had these 2 Aberdeen U.O.T.C badges in my collection for many years and wondered if the friction post fittings are common or not on these Aberdeen badges and whether they were worn on the cap, pouch or waist belt clasp?

The gold anodised cap badge is unusual, I have seen gilding metal collars to this University and possibly a/a collars in gold anodised?

Is there a possibility a gold anodised badge may have been worn at some stage (pipers)? or just a factory cock up.

Your comments appreciated.
Colin

Strange fitting only have one silver anodised with normal lug fittings

Colin, they're in the same position as the usual 'anodised' lugs ( e&w). Could it be just a maker variation? This badge is a particularly thick chunk of alluminium - I wonder if they felt the usual lugs were not strong enough? Are they the same depth as the usual lugs? i.e. not longer so it fits on a pouch/sporran etc?

The anodised collars are indeed gold

You are right, Bess. It certainly looks as though the traditional soldered loop-type lugs may not be strong enough to carry such a weighty cap-badge. I guess that most Aberdeen OTC badges I have come across have at least one broken or missing loop.

The fittings could be for a pouch or similar. Ive seen similar on the bandsmans badge for the DERR,the DERR badge in question is similar size to a 1st pattern RGBW.

Thanks Gents for your input on this thread.

Bess, thanks for the pics of the gold anodised collar badges, I have always wondered why Aberdeen U.O.T.C had a silver a/a cap badge with gold anodised collars? Maybe there are silver anodised collars out there.

My badges with the "metal" lugs are the same distance apart as the normal cap badge with anodised lugs. William's thoughts on the lugs not being strong enough on a/a badges may hold some credence.

The friction pegs on my a/a badge does remind me slightly on how Grove M.F.G fitted their sliders on badges. I checked a Northamptonshire Regt (Grove) badge and there are certain similarities on the structure although one is fitted with a slider and the other is not.
Many Thanks
Colin

I think these are anodised silver. Can’t access until Friday to confirm.

Aberdeen University OTC - NSN 8455-99-973-9771

Tim

This is the cap badge I have from sealed package. Same as Bess.

Aberdeen University OTC JSP768 Description: Insignia, Organisational. Cap. All Ranks, Aberdeen University, Officer Training Corps. Aluminium. Anodised silver finish. NSN: 8455-99-973-9576 Pattern No 22734 CB3270

Tim

I seem to recall that one of the few collars that ive seen were advertised as for the band. These were the gold ones. It would follow that the silver would be for the pipers.

UOTCs do not routinely get issued No2 Dress so most do not hold it. When I was in Southampton UOTC we borrowed No 2 dress from the Wessex regt when it was needed and thus wore Wessex collars.

The exception are the Scots Pipes and Drums who are issued it for the ceremonial duties. This is why you have Scots and Queens collars but not other UOTC designs.

UOTC anodised collar badges
 

A few examples of UOTC anodised collar badges:

Tim

Sheffield University OTC

Some nice collars there gents.