7th Duke of Edinburgh's Gurkha Rifles
 

Is the 7th Gurkhas staybright cap badge with a solid cypher official? I have seen a white metal solid version and I have a chromed voided version. Not sure about the anodised version. Thanks.

Simple answer as far as I know is yes. They are older than the voided ones. Also found with a slider opposed to lugs.

The same applies to the 10th,theres the earlier Gaunt pattern with a non void top section with slider. Prior to that the lugged version has a non void bell . This pattern is the one shown in K&K,also theres example in the IWM collection. Not an easy one to find though.

Mike H, thank you for your reply. K&K 2082 is described as "not voided" but it is not very clear whether it is available in anodised. I am in the process of organising my collecting and I am trying to prepare a wants list of staybright Gurkha badges. Finding it difficult to ascertain which are officially issued badges and which are not. Grateful for your help.

Without looking I'm not sure which example k&k 2082 is. Give me a.shout and I'll pass on what I know.

Hi Calpe,

1. At the 122nd Meeting of the War Office Dress Committee, held on 4th September 1959, the Committee decided to approve sketch design No. 0.1541 of the head-dress badge proposed for the 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles, subject to final approval by His Royal Highness and the Sovereign. Financial agreement was reached for the purchase of new dies.

2. At the 174th Meeting of the Army Dress Committee, held on 18th July 1966, the Committee decided to approve the finished samples of the modified pattern of other ranks cap badge, with the solid portion of the Cypher removed by piercing, in silver A/A, for 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles; sketch design No. 0.1548.

3. Although the specification of the badge changed via sketch design No. 0.1548 the official designation of the badge remained the same.

Regards,

Chris

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the information. So basically the soiid pattern was changed to a voided pattern and both were approved in anodised versions?

Best regards,
Ian

Hi Ian,

Yep. The solid version evolved into the voided item with both badges using the same NSN and pattern No.

Regards,

Chris

Thanks Chris, I am preparing a catalogue of my collection with photos of sets and dates when the badges were sealed and worn. I also try to display them in a chronological and precedence order as best I can.
Best regards,
Ian