British American "Canadians" Boer era cap badge
 

Hi,

I just received this cap badge from an Ebay seller...

(4,6 cm high) no maker's mark.

The only thing I found was on "Digger"... and it stated it was a Canadian regiment... not made from US born soldiers.

Can someone confirm or deny this?

If you can add more "meat" to my "bone" I'd appreciate.

Thanks

PS: It must be in the Charlton Press books??? Any idea of it's "real" value.

Don't have the full history with me, but as far as I am aware:- these units were made up of non-uk personnel living in the London area. They were referred to - to start with - as Kings Colonials. There were America, Africa, Canadian, Australian (and a version with Australasian) , New Zealand and Asian units + others such as King Edwards Horse. Both Coxs' and K&K's books have pictures of the badges in and a very brief summary.
After a while it was felt that the term 'Colonials' wasn't 'quite right' and they may have been absorbed into other units or changed their name...
There is a lot of controversy about authenticating these badges - I have a set which has been deemed by other forum members to be fake. I also have a single gilded version of the side cap badge which was bought from Bosleys some years ago - although it now appears that claiming Bosleys as a form of 'provenance' is a non starter as well. All in all, they are an interesting side of badge collecting.
The basic problem is getting hold of pictures of an absolute genuine set of badges. if you do have the genuine article, these normally 'retail' via Bosleys for 80-100UKP. If yours is a genuine gilded (i.e. officers) version I would have expected about twice that. Its not just the stamping of the badge that is an issue but
the lugs/mounting used as well. There are numerous comments on the forum about the lugs/feet etc. Sugest you do some searching... As mine were all judged
to be fakes they are sitting on the bottom of the English channel entertaining the fish...
Good luck.

Just to add to the above post.

The badge is that of the British American Squadron of the King's Colonials, Imperial Yeomanry. The badge was worn with the regimental badge which is quite different.

Originally four squadrons of "colonials" living in the UK - British Asian, British African, British American and Australasian. The Australasian squadron was re-named Australian when a New Zealand squadron was raised in 1903. According to K&K the NZ squadron was disbanded a year later.

Supposedly raised as the 4th County of London Imperial Yeomanry (King's Colonials) in late 1901. It did not see service in the South African War.

Was re-titled in 1905 as The King's Colonials, Imperial Yeomanry and in 1908 was re-titled King Edward's Horse (The King's Overseas Dominions Regiment) with a new badge when it became part of the TA.

As mentioned above many reproductions of it and the other squadron badges.

Cheers
Chris

Thank you for the infos.

The badge I have has the lugs positioned "North/South"... which I found a bit weird...

I just hope I won't have to throw it in the St-Lawrence river!!!!! ;)

An acquaintance once described this badge as, "It looks like a beaver playing a saxophone." Every time I see one of these I think of that & smile.

Your one is much shinier than the one I had, mine had a lot more patina at
the back and the front and was a slightly more 'crisper' striking. I'll check
the pictures this evening for the lug positions etc.
I am a little surprised that no one else has made any sort of comment
about yours that were made about mine. Maybe yours is a good one that
has just been over-zealously cleaned up.
Will let you know about the lugs etc. If you also email me decent sized pics
of the front and back I'll do a quick compare of the castings etc.
At least the St.Lawrence isn't as deep...
david

Resurrecting this thread to show another King's Colonial "British American". Opinions always appreciated.
Thanks
http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...pstlxq3ndk.jpg
http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgf6lbifp.jpg