48th Highlanders cap badges evolution 1890's to post WWII
 

Thought that I would take some time and post some pictures of 48th Highlanders cap badges through the ages.
I do not claim to be an expert and always willing to learn more, I am actually not even really that interested in cap badges in general but I do collect 48th Highlanders regiment items so I need to cover this aspect.
I will post images of the cap badges as they evolved through the decades.

First up is the first cap badge worn by the regiment, dates from 1891-1902.
I have seen this badge lugged and with a broach pin.

Next up in the evolution of the cap badges of the 48th Highlanders is this one, I have heard the term "shield badge" used to identify this cap badge. Worn from 1902-1911.
This badge was very short lived and seems to be hard to find than even the original cap badge from my experience.
There is also a silver version of this badge for officers.
Also pictured is a very rare brass shoulder title, I am not exactly sure when it was worn but it was early on in the history of the regiment.

Hi 48th,
Thanks for showing your 48th badges.
I will look forward to seeing how the badge evolves.
Cheers, Tinto

Here is another cap badge for the regiment, dates from 1914 for wear overseas. The word Canada has been added to the bottom.
Very beautiful badge in my opinion, not often seen as well. This badge has a leather cut out as the backing and a well worn remnant of Davidson pattern tartan backing.

Last two pictures are of the front and back of the same example but in white metal. There are no makers marks on the back.

In WWI the 48th Highlanders recruited 3 battalions, 15th, 92nd and the 134th.
Here is the 15th Battalion and there shoulder patch. There were two variations of cap badges for the 15th battalion lovingly referred to as the small 48 and large 48th. I see the small variation more often.
Also pictured is a large 48 variation along side another large 48 that for what ever reason has had it's 15th Battalion scroll cut off the bottom. I often wonder if the scroll was cut off by a soldier so the badge could be used post WWI.

Picture with the red backing is not mine but it shows a 15th battalion intern cap badge. These were made up during the war when sufficient amounts of proper cap badges were not on hand yet for new recruits.

Next we have the 92nd Battalion, I believe the battalion was only used as reinforcements for other battalions once they arrived in Europe.

2 variations of the 92nd Battalion cap badge are pictured, a full buckle and half buckle variation. The full buckle variation is very well struck and beautiful cap badge. Made by Ellis Bros Toronto.

I did not add the 92nd battalion draft badge earlier as I do not have one in my collection and likely never will due to the price they sell for. But the badge is part of the story so I borrowed this picture from the CEF gallery on this forum.
I do not know a lot about this rare draft badge so only going by memory of what I have read in the past.
The 92nd draft badge was issued to new recruits when the 92nd Battalion was being raised. Not sure if it was issued because the proper cap badge was not ready or if it was just a nice little incentive to get men to sign up? If anyone has more information on it please let me know and I will update this section.

The 134th Battalion is next. Very nice cap badge, again made by Ellis Bros. Toronto.
This variation also came in Sterling Silver for officers.

This variation spans many decades, from 1911 to 1938 officially but many WWII soldiers especially WWI veterans and interwar soldiers wore them if they could get away with it. The WWII issue cap badge with no buckle/garter were far less liked.

The last badge on the right is a sterling silver officers cap badge.


Also, from what I can determine is one of the first if not the first Old Comrades Association blazer crests.

I have added a very well made badge from the maker J.W. Tiptaft & Son Birmingham and an example with a slider.

Lastly I have a badge with very long factory made lugs, I have heard these were made for the sporrans.

48th:
Great photos of a great collection. Where does the rare "Bird's head" 92nd Draft unit fit into the equation?
Thank you
Don

After a long battle with NDHQ in Ottawa over the garter/buckle being removed going back over a decade, in 1936 a new design was finally approved. Here is a good link that details the situation. https://servicepub.wordpress.com/201...of-the-garter/

The cap badge pictured is shows the design without the buckle but still retaining the ribbed 48. I have this example in both white metal and brass. Both examples are not maker marked.

This cap badge variation shows the simplification of the badge once again. The ribs on the 48 are gone leaving a smooth 48.
This variation is what i most often see in WWII period pictures and on head wear in my collection.
This variation was also made in white metal and brass, the brass variety was NOT popular with the soldiers.

I also added pictures of WWII 48th Highlanders shoulder flashes, slip-on shoulder tabs and the more traditional shoulder titles. And a cap badge and WWII period collars.

In regards to makers of WWII 48th Highlanders cap badges I have only been able to find two different makers marks. William Scully and Roden Bros. The William Scully makers mark I encounter much more often than Roden Bros. I have encountered two different styles of Scully markings. I also have a good number of cap badges with no makers marks at all. Judging by the details and lugs and I am assuming a large number of the unmarked badges were made by William Scully. If any one has any other makers markers that I do not have please let me know.

Pictured are examples of Roden and Scully made examples.

Thanks for the great summary Ron. I was not aware that the brass badge existed in both smooth and ribbed finish. In your opinion is the ribbed 48 (no garter) harder to find than the smooth 48 (no garter)?

Thank you very much Bill, I have a lot more to add once I find more time. I also might add things I missed to the earlier posts as well over time.

To answer your question, in my experience I see 10-20 smooth 48 to every ribbed 48 without the garter. The brass ribbed cap badge with no garterbeing the rarest of them all.

48th (CEF) Badge Variants
 

Cross (First World War Canadian Infantry Badges) calls for a 3rd type of badge for the 48th/15th Bn. the description is "DILEAS GU BRATH [over] 48 HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA. Maybe like the 92nd. there is no image of this badge in the book, nor is there any description. I have never seen anything that would closely match "Cross's" description. Do you have any thoughts??

also would it be possible to get copies of your images for the CEF book. Well focused, strong depth of field, well lit, full size (not compressed) Please!! - - Thanks