[fearnaught]

Hi Neil, your RTC collar/ topee badge is identical to one I have. They were prone to the crown breaking off, this has been a recurring issue with sliders attached to crown, so maybe they were produced with lugs as collars. I would have thought they would have needed longer lugs to attach to a topee. Who knows, still a very interesting badge and one to look out for. The 1st pattern RAC is probably an Indian or M.E. made one. I have a couple both with lugs and based on the RAC badge with strengthening slider, the same one you show. I think they may be correct but it is always a problem with the locally made items to date them correctly. The bullion is a modern item, I think Bovington still sell them on their web site. It is not the same as the one on the officer's astrakhan beret, it had more of a kings crown. Hope all this helps Mike