Hi Thomas,
Thanks for posting this badge. It is very difficult to tell with your badge.
I think I need some questions anwsered about the badge and then list some of my thoughts based on insignia in my collection.
Questions:
1. What is the size. Is it a collar badge size or cap badge size.
2. the mark on the reverse of the crown. Is it recessed or a raised mark like a moulding mark?
Observations of your badge:
1. Gilding metal/gilt portion appears to be cast and not stamped out.
2. Appears to be an officers silver/gilt badge
3. Blades on a silver/gilt badge is rather unusual. All ones I have seen have looped lugs.
Observations on examples I have:
1. Officers silver gilt cap badges appear to have the snake either painted/coated in silver OR as a separately attached silvererd snake.
2. Officers silver/gilt collar badges always appear to have snake painted/coated in silver.
3. I do have a similar badge without silvered snake but it has an attached silver scroll with latin scroll "In Arduis Fidelis"
Thoughts:
1. This may be an incomplete manufactured badge (Silver snake not painted or attached).
2. May be an Indian manufactured badge (from the look of it been cast and having non-regulation attachments) and therefore the missing silver on the snake.
Sorry i am unable to give a more definitive answer.
Steven
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