PARACHUTE REGIMENT
 

Hi,
look this cap badge, under the silver seen brass.
Is that what you call a cap badge anodised?
Thank you for your help
Best regards
Bernard
http://img1.imagilive.com/1213/cap_b...e_regiment.JPG

Bernard,
sorry for not replying to your PM, the badge you show is the plated nickle version, not modern anodised aluminium! There were a few variations of the WW2 Parachute Regiment cap badges, as they were produced in the thousands! Post WW2 they were produced with slider fittings. Your badge is c.WW2.

Best regards

Andy

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.
What are the metals used for the manufacture of these insignia?

Best regards
Bernard

Bernard,

The majority of "Older" badges (pre 1950's) were made from White-metal (Nickle) and Gilding-metal (Brass) or a combination of both (Bi-metal) for other ranks (soldiers) and from better quality metals, such as Bronzed, Silver and Gilt with occasionally coloured enamels for Officers and some senior ranks!

Post 1950's the majority of other ranks badges have been made from Anodised Aluminium, a very lightweight alloy often mistaken for plastic.

In the case of the Parachute Regiment the other ranks badges were initially of nickle and some nickle plated brass. There were also "Plastic" badges, quite often incorrectly called Bakelite, but these were issued as an economy measure and much scarcer than the metal badges. Officers badges were silver/silver plate.

Since the 1950's Parachute Regiment badges have been made from white-metal initially but then from mostly anodised aluminium and in more recent years a better quality silver alloy. Post WW2 the fittings were changed to a slider on OR's badges with officers remaining lugged. In recent years all badges have been lugged.

Best regards

Andy

Hi Andy,
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer me.
Best regards
Bernard

Bernard,
my pleasure and I hope I answered your question and you were able to understand!

Best regards and a Merry Christmas!

Andy

Hi,
Everything is clear!
I have some basic questions but in France your badges are not well known. Next year, I would be the specialist English badges on my street.
Best regards
Bernard