[KLR]

Some of you might know that I have been defining and describing different dies for KLR cap badges – regular, unofficial, Vol Bns, TF Bns, officers and ORs. The comparison of different dies (a technique used in numismatics - my day job) to link makers as well as a chronology. In this case, the most distinctive area is of the grassy ‘ground’ I have acquired a few good KLR badges in 2018 but what I’d like to share with you is more of a wider discovery – a die linkage that creates a very good sequence.

In 1895 the WO authorised a badge for the 4th VB KLR to wear on the new FSC. It was defined as Pattern 4362/1895 and sketched in their archives (at TNA) - a WM horse rearing on a ground (without a scroll). There are a few examples of this badge about and mine <213> certainly appears to be like the sketch. I have catalogued this one as 1896/D[ie]2 (for reasons apparent below).

The next year the WO finally got around to authorising a proper cap badge to all the regular units (and quite a few of the VBs). The new design, sealed as Pattern 4362A/1896, was the same horse on a ground but with the addition of a scroll reading THE ‟KINGS” underneath. I’ve logged almost 30 different dies for this pattern – there was a mass production in the war years. Not surprisingly, I found that I had two bi-metal examples of 1896/D2 <26>.

In 1902 the WO decreed that officers should wear a dark bronze badge when in Service Dress – the badge we know as an OSD one. Imagine my excitement when I found amongst my KLR OSDs another Die 2 but in this case with FIRMIN / LONDON on an oval plaque on the back <13>.

In 1908 new badges were designed for the new TF battalions – but without WO Pattern numbers until 1915. Then, one of my best finds of 2018 was an all WM 7th TF Bn <335> to join the 1896/D2 family !

The last link is the 5th Bn which badge K&K called the ‘1927’ badge (2357 – there is also a BM version too) <196>; it is undoubtedly an 1896/D2 but with a different scroll.




Dammit - I always get the photo loading the wroing way round - please start with the WM at the end !