The Royal Irish Rifles design you show is pattern 5849/1903. It was sealed in blackened brass and in 1913 the finish was officially changed to white metal and given a new pattern no., 7330/1913.
So perhaps your example has had the blackening removed. In terms of the strike detail it is voided (pierced) where it usually should be (scroll ends) although the rear details are a little weak.
But what is most intriguing is the use of loops and their position. Generally speaking pattern 5849/1903 dates from the period when sliders were the specified standard fitment for forage cap badges. A fitment like yours, loops N&S is to be found on officer’s full dress busby badge and pugaree badge, though the badge is superficially similar to 5849 but I don’t think your badge is one of these as the width across the badge at chest level is noticeably different and yours is a gilding metal die-struck badge. One can see that badge in the 1904 DRs and standard pattern cards below (I can’t recall where I got these images and I apologize in advance if I am sharing inappropriately).
I have two samples of 5849/1903 in my collection, one has the usual slider and appears perfectly genuine to me but one has loops E&W, this latter one I am not sure what to make of it. The blackening looks quite new (perhaps a re-coating or “renewal’ by a previous owner). Images attached, but not great quality. I would be interested to see what Bobby Rainey has to say about it and if he is not on this forum (I cant recall) I will bring it to his attention off line to see what he makes of it. He is a specialist collector to the regiment.
The Connaught Rangers looks good to me.
John
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