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Old 23-01-18, 07:47 AM
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Guzzman Guzzman is offline
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As you say, this was probably made for the Royal Indian Navy but could have been worn by an officer of almost any Commonwealth navy as Royal Navy cap badges and rank/rate insignia were (at this time anyway) standard throughout the Commonwealth.

Indian officers adopted Royal Navy cap badges in 1934 when the Indian naval service changed from being the Royal Indian Marine and became the Royal Indian Navy. They continued to wear the same uniforms, badges, buttons and insignia (and flew the White Ensign) following independence and the Royal Indian Navy continued until India became a republic in 1950. It was only after this that Indian naval insignia changed. Somewhat confusingly the Royal Pakistan Navy (established following partition in 1947) also continued to wear the same uniforms and insignia (and flew the White Ensign) until Pakistan became a republic in 1956!

So your cap badge could have been worn by a British, Indian or Pakistani naval officer! An interesting find.

Pete
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