Coldstream Guards Officers Beret Badge Rank Star?
 

Am I right in thinking this badge is a Coldstream Guards officer's rank badge?
The beret is an issue one with plastic headband and a leather slider pocket and backing to the vents.
The contract code "A/78/CLO/34626/DC68 (2)" stamped on the lining indicates that the beret was manufactured circa 1971 / 72.

It is indeed a rank star, but worn by the Grenadier, Welsh and Household cavalry as well.

CB

Worn by the Coldstream as a beret badge though? It doesn't appear to be a recent addition to the beret, but I don't know if its a pukka pairing, worn as a beret badge.

Well, I myself have never seen such as used for the beret, but that certainly does not mean it was never done!

CB

It seems the kind've Guards understated thing that would be done.......

I'd have thought that 71-72 the Guards would have still been in blue berets not khaki.
The badge looks more like a rank star than the beret badge. No blue garter .

This is a COLDM GDS officers bullion badge in the correct colour beret. They were wearing brown long before the line infantry abandoned blue. Looks like the moths have mounted a successful attack.

The beret was manufactured around that time, it may be a few years later, I'm taking the date from the approximate dates on a HMVF thread.

1GG were wearing the khaki beret by 1974, I would imagine the other regiments of Foot Guards would've been wearing it by then.
The blue and maroon backing was adopted in 1989?

Yes, I was thinking that the badge is a rank star, but would it have been worn on the beret, unit policy at one time, or for field wear, or NI?

Quite a bit of moth damage to the beret, grazing that hasn't caused holes proper but they've had a bit of a field day.

Nice " been there " beret.
Andy

It'll look a bit better after a good brushing, and it'll live in a sealed bag, subject to moth patrols.
The bullions toned, but the bright red cross is quite striking, really stands out.

It is of course without doubt a rank star, not a beret badge if any sort. I too would be interested to know if this it is just an incorrect addition or a personal affectation by the officer.

CB

Can't answer for the Coldstreams but the IG have been known to use rank stars in the beret c.1980. This picture from the display at the Guards Museum put together by Col. W. Mahon and Capt. M. O'Neill from their own collections and regimental property. In this case the annotation "R" signifies the piece came from the regiment.

John

Thanks all, so the indications are that the beret is an early 1970's or thereabouts issue one worn pre 1989, and bears a Guards officer's rank star legitimately worn as a beret badge by an officer of the Coldstream Guards.

Leigh,

Late to this thread, apologies, Rank Stars were used on the beret in this fashion by Officers however I never saw a beret with the slider pocket used as all Capstars issued were lugged at the time.

Simon.