Para beret badge
 

This was described as being approved by the MOD.

Blackened metal badges are worn by serving soldiers but PRl or private purchase rather than issued.

Tim

Tim,

Is there any particular reason why these private purchased badges are blackened? Thank you.

To make it harder for people to see at a distance and so shoot you.

The cherry beret doesn't help much in that regard though.

Thanks for that. Same reason why there’s ‘subdued’ cloth insignia.

Just occurred to me. All RM issued beret badges - worn during ops - are blackened/subdued aren’t they? There is however a shiny version (pic below) which I’f I’m not mistaken is intended to be worn when not on ops or with dress uniforms?

There are two issued versions of the RM ORs beret badge:

Badge, Organisation. Cap. Royal Marines. Aluminium, anodised gold

and

Badge, Organisation, Cap. Royal Marines. Gilding metal, bronzed finish

the latter is the 'blackened' version which is worn in normal day-to-day working rig and (if berets are worn) on ops.