Gurkha 1V Rifles Badge??
 

Hi
I have this Brass 1v Badge with x2 Flat type Lugs. The only thing I can find anywhere near it is a 'Felt Hat Badge' for the 4th Gurkha Rifles.
Can anyone help to ID it for me please?
Its quite big at: 25mm high x 31mm wide.
TIA

I can only confirm that it is indeed a badge of the 4th Gurkhas. WW1 period. According to Ashok Nath's book Sepoys and Sowars it was worn on the pith hat and Gurkha hat on field service.

Not sure about this one. It's not the same as the one in Ashok's book nor indeed is it a variant that's illustrated in the Museum's book on the insignia of the 4GR. That doesn't necessarily mean its a repro - ( although this badge has been widely reproduced ) - the design was worn by all ranks from 1900> 1947 - so there would have been a lot produced over that time - and I'm sure there would have been variants that have not been recorded - but almost all of the genuine examples I've seen have the square lug construction as seen in these photos.
Worthy of further research though. Tim

Many thanks for the Info.
Someone has suggested it may be 'Irish Volunteers' from the independance period??

Yes Tim I agree. I did notice that it's not exactly the same as the one shown in Ashok's book, but I guess there must have been variants with minor differences.

Ashok has himself told me that there may well be more examples of badges than those shown in the book and he's always on the lookout for those! It's always interesting when these variants turn up though ofcourse hard to say with 100 percent certainty. A good dose of speculation us always healthy for the hobby and adds joy to our lives.

I'm intrigued by the possibility of it being Irish - I know absolutely nothing about Irish badges of that period and would be interested in hearing from an Irish collector - never realised they had a similar badge?

Found this on the net. Not connected like mine but very similar shape??
The badge shown is from the time of the Easter Uprising in Dublin.

When it comes to Indian badges, there is rarely a definitive answer. Many variations can exist of a given badge during a given period that will likely remain a mystery.

CB

Many thanks CB

PM sent - would be interested in knowing where it came from and whether you have any more Gurkha badges ? Tim

Hi Tim
I have replied to your message, I thnk???
Not sure if it got through to you?
Please let me know.
Smudge