RCD, time and wear?
 

Hi, now to start with the RCD. I have this beret which came with an officer's bits, the dealer I got it from said he had put this badge on it. I'm curious as to whether it is the right badge. An officer's gilt, bronze and what I would call an other ranks badge with a pair of collars all came together with the officer's hat. Would the officer have worn an officer's gilt badge on the beret? Also there seems to have been a variety of badges worn on the beret, one, quite small, with north and south lugs. Any guesses as to what they could have been? I've included photo's of his cap as well, if it helps.
Secondly is it possible to identify the makers and time scale of the officer's gilt badges? Thirdly, what are the silver badges for? and finally what is the time scale of the continuous title? Apologies in advance for so many questions and thanks in advance for some answers to them, best wishes Mike

Hi Mike, the gilt badge is to my understanding, the correct badge for wear on the beret. The continuous scroll badge is the one attributed to the Second WW and into the 50's. At some point after that a new die was required, with sharper features as on the osd badge. The silver badges may have been plated for the blue patrol uniform, or may have been for bandsmen.

Hi Bill, thank you for answering those queries for me, very helpful, best wishes Mike

Hi Guys,
Can you clarify for an ignorant Aussie what you mean by 'continuous scroll', please? I'm very curious to know what might have been the WW2 specific badge.

Hi lettman, note the spacing of the lettering in the scrolls. In continuous scrolls, there is no distinct spacing between the words.

Ah, got it! Many thanks, Bill.