Royal Scots Greys side cap
 

Gentlemen,

recently I've purchased the Royal Scots Greys other ranks' side cap. I believe it's a WW2 period. I don't have any doubts on the genuineness of the cap itself. However, I'm not sure whether the badge is genuine or a restrike (Please find photos attached). Your opinions are much appreciated.

Sincerely,
Michael

Gentlemen,

Could it be that this cap badge is a restrike and was attached to the cap later?

Not an expert on these, but if you compare the quality of your badge to ones considered genuine shown here on the forum that seems quite likely.

Rgds, Thomas

Proper photographs of the badge would certainly help, there were quite a number of differing badges made over the years for this regiment, with the result that they are very common.
So if you are not happy, simply replace it with an original example that would be contemporary to the period of the cap's manufacture.

I see, thank you Gentlmen.

Maybe these photos may clarify the situation? :confused:

I've had a look carefully at the cap itself, and I've found two horizontal n-s holes for the badge fitting.

Am I correct in thinking that both the RE and the Welch wore a coloured side cap of the same layout, blue with gold/yellow crown piping?

According to "1937 Coloured Field Service Cap, Regimental & Corps Distinctions" by Timothy J Reese the Royal Scots Grey's, RE, Sherwood Foresters, Welch Regiment and the Buffs all wore this cap, I don't know how reliable that work is.

I see. I attach some photos of the north-south holes for the badge fitting. Which Regiment of the mentioned above had the badge with north-south loops for fitting? Or maybe initially there was only one hole for another Regiment's cap badge fitting, and then another one was made to fit the Greys badge?

Michael

There may be a possibility that a collar badge may have been worn rather than a full size cap badge of whichever unit.
The likely candidate for a n/s fittings badge could be a RE collar badge.

I see, thank you . However, I still try to find some "pros" for the Greys cap version. What about the cut of the cap? As I far as I can see from the genuine caps, the cavalry side caps had straight cut at the front while the other corps rounded.
Are there any miniature Greys badges known that may had been worn on this cap?

You may be thinking of the Torin cap rather than the CFSC when you say cavalry wearing straight sided caps?
Sorry, I can't help further, I don't know much more about the cap's.

You're right, I've a little bit confused by these terms. :D

Nevertheless, so far it is nearly impossible to tell for 100% what Regiment or Corps this side cap belonged to. Am I right?

And the badge is a restrike, right?

Hi Cherrypicker

Ive just seen the note on the bottom of your posts Re the 11th Hussars.

WD Militaria are listing a "Cherry" coloured cavalry frock coat, this may or may not relate to the 11th, but its worth a look. Their No is 26596, its 225GBP. Have a look and see how you go.

However Ive checked my Cavalry uniform books and it does not show the 11th wearing a Cherry coloured frock coat, but that doesn't mean that they didn't. Its about the correct pattern for the Cavalry Frock coat as shown in the 1900 Dress Regs but the regs don't (on my reading) have a Cherry coloured Frock Coat for the 11th Hussars.

Good luck

Regards Phil.

Hi Cherrypicker

Ive just seen the note on the bottom of your posts Re the 11th Hussars.

WD Militaria are listing a "Cherry" coloured cavalry frock coat, this may or may not relate to the 11th, but its worth a look. Their No is 26596, its 225GBP. Have a look and see how you go.

However Ive checked my Cavalry uniform books and it does not show the 11th wearing a Cherry coloured frock coat, but that doesn't mean that they didn't. Its about the correct pattern for the Cavalry Frock coat as shown in the 1900 Dress Regs but the regs don't (on my reading) have a Cherry coloured Frock Coat for the 11th Hussars.

Good luck

Regards Phil.

The RSG badge, genuine or fake / repro, I don't know.
I can't think of ever seeing Royal Scots Grey's, Sherwood Foresters, Welch Regiment or Buffs cap or collar badges with n/s lugs. If they exist then in the absence of an impression left on the fabric to indicate a particular badge has been fitted then it could have been any of them.
If the n/s holes in the cap are spaced as per those on a RE collar badge then I'd say that's the obvious candidate, and that if I "had" to badge it up I'd badge it as RE.
Looks like someone simply got a cap and stuck a RSG badge on it because that's the unit they thought it must be or wanted to display it as, or thought it'd be more saleable.
I bought a "RSG" CFSC years ago - but it was a RAPC cap with the wrong badge stuck on it.
Now I've had a closer look, I think my "RSG cap" that I thought may actually be a RAPC cap is probably a Hampshire Regiment one, the yellow being darker than the primrose shade of the RAPC.