Prison cap badges.
 

Please can anyone help.

I've just started collecting prison cap badges, and I would like to find out how many are in the line up.

or where would I find this out.

Thanks.

You could always give this a try;

http://www.prisonofficer.org.uk/view...php?f=2&t=1404

Thanks for your post, however i have tried and tried but it will not log me on.

Hi ScrewLoose,
To be allowed access to http://www.prisonofficer.org.uk/view...php?f=2&t=1404 you first have to fit the required criteria set by the administrators to become a member and if suitable they will then grant you permission it is not an automatic process.
Regarding prison badges it depends how far back you want to start and do you want to collect all makers ? I'm afraid there aren't any books available on the subject to help either.There are a number of contributions on this site regarding various prison badges which should help you .
Besides metal badges there are also cloth,rank,specialist all in both metal and cloth available,what exactly are you hoping to achieve.
Bantam

Hi Bantam,

I was given a bag of items by a prison officer when he retired from the service. In the bag were two cap badges, which looked interesting and I decided to the collect cap badge of the prison service since then.

Over the past few months i have managed to collect a total of 7 badges, with the earliest ones being George 6th and Edward 8th, other badges include guilt staybrite and enamel, but now I cannot seem to find any that I dont have.

I am just looking to complete the cap badges collection first before moving into other area's.

Thanks

Screwloose.

Sounds as if you have those that are readily available, there are one or two others which you will struggle to find, if at all. You may be surprised to hear that the EVIIIR version is not uncommon.

Dave.

Hi Screwloose,
I must agree with Dave it would appear that you have most of selection available but even the Q/C W/M version there is a very slight difference in the different manufacturers striking's they are J Gaunt. London Badge & Button Co, Dowler, Firmin and unnamed.
There is also a gilt version of the last pattern of the star version that was never issued produced by the London Badge & Button Co. one of which was sold on E-Bay last week and sold for £46.99.
How are you managing with the female versions.
Bantam

Female HMP cap badges
 

He will struggle with the older female cap badges Bantam - because YOU have them! :D

Thank you for your posts,

Thanks for the info, i do have two female badges, the so called current star pattern still sealed, and the previous white metal badge, given to me just recently but I haven't looked into collecting these yet.

The gilt star badge is that rare, as not issued and is £46 a good price. most of my stuff has been given or has cost a couple of pounds.

Thanks.

Prison cap badges
 

Regarding the EVIIIR cap badge, it is evident that many examples of this badge show signs of use, and I would suggest the following scenario: although it was normal not to change badges until after a coronation, the EVIIIR badges were commissioned and struck prior to the abdication crisis, and some issued, perhaps first to those officers on ceremonial duties, e.g. attending Assizes as escorts. Following the abdication it would have taken some time for the GVIR version to be approved and produced; in the meantime the EVIIIR type continued in general use until the new type could be distributed. It seems there must have been a change of uniform type in 1936, perhaps following from the Home Office regulations for police uniforms from 1934, which would explain the absence of a GVR version of this badge.

Prison badges
 

On the subject of the EIIR badges, it would be interesting to know the date when brass was replaced with chrome, and where the staybrite badges fit into the sequence. When I was working in the Crown Courts in the 70's and 80's the prison officers on duty there wore chrome insignia, and the star pattern cap badge certainly first appeared in 1988, along with the new style shoulder titles. The attached illustration shows a female officer on duty at the Central Criminal Court in 1977 and as you can see, she is wearing an HMNP shoulder title on her lapel.

Hi Jamesb853,
Thank you for your input in raising the profile of prison insignia.The H.M.P. title worn by female staff on the jacket front was smaller then the shoulder titles.I've seen two versions of this badge and that the tighter design on the one would have been worn by the senior ranks i.e.Senior,Principle and Chief Officers.
I also recognise the female member of staff in your photo.
Hwyl,
Bantam

In reply to your post James a George V pattern was issued and differed from the Edward VII crown by being voided as opposed to non voided and slightly other differences in its design.
Regards,
Bantam

Prison cap badges
 

Hi, Bantum,
I think I may have the GvR version, which came from an old collection of prison related stuff. I will dig it out and post it for opinions. The GviR female staff badge strongly resembles what has traditionally been catalogued as a MPSC GVR badge, i.e. Royal cypher within a wreath with crown above. It seems that recent research has cast doubt on this attribution but has offered little convincing evidence for any alternatives. Could this be a HMP issue?

Prison badges
 

Hi Bantam, forgot to say that the female officer looks quite an attractive lady!