Metal v Staybrite

[54Bty]

AMMO UK are a private company that have badges produced for various markets. At the last count they do not have a contract with the MoD, however they do supply Regimental PRI shops with almost every item needed.

The only Regiment that I know of that had badges produced by AMMO UK at their own expense and then issued them to the soldiers was the QRIH. This was due to a lack of aa badges being found in stores. However in 1992 at least one pallet of QRIH aa badges were presented for disposal.

[hagwalther]

Originally Posted by oc14

MPSC= Military Provost Staff Corps (The staff of the Military Corrective Training Centre in Colchester)
AMMO UK, are a badge manufacturer.

If it helps with dates etc, I acquired the following Staybrite cap badges in Firmin bags today with dates as shown:-

Royal Signals (NSN 8455 9997 41173) Dated 4/11/04
Royal Artillery (Beret size) NSN 8455 9997 42267 Dated 28/9/06
Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers NSN8455 9997 39952 Daed 12/7/07

Paul
OC14

Hi Paul,

These are the dates on the celophane packets - right?

Do you know if they correspond to date of manufacture or date of packing?

Let me know if you get a moment.

Regards

Chris

[dak580]

Following the previous posts have come up with a few more questions.

Again only from what I’ve seen would it be correct to say that in the construction of the new metal badges ‘all’ white metal is a bright silver colour and ‘all’ brass is a bright gold colour?

Do any of the current badges come in the old fashioned nickel & gilding metal finish?

Is either type the being faked – ‘restrike’?

With Alan’s information about solders ‘private purchase’ from outside the MOD and/or Regimental shops it reminds me of a thread I read on the forum the other week about do we class badges being sold by the regiments as restrikes or original?

On this I am only talking about ‘current’ issue badges and not historical badges.

[oc14]

Originally Posted by hagwalther

Hi Paul,

These are the dates on the celophane packets - right?

Do you know if they correspond to date of manufacture or date of packing?

Let me know if you get a moment.

Regards

Chris

Chris
these are the dates on the cellophane packets.

Honest answer is that I don't know whether they are the date of manufacture or packing but would assume that it is the packing date.

Paul
OC14

[hagwalther]

Originally Posted by oc14

Chris
these are the dates on the cellophane packets.

Honest answer is that I don't know whether they are the date of manufacture or packing but would assume that it is the packing date.

Paul
OC14

Hi Paul,

I expect they are too.

Darn...

[Alan O]

I think I understand you question about the finsihes and the answer is varied:

The Rifles is a frosted silver finsih (ie not shiny).

The Duke of Lancasters is a gilt and enamel badge as were the 2003 QLR badges.

The LI and Yorkshires were in an all silver shiny finish.

The Royal Regiment of Scotland is a gilt lion on a silver (shiny) cross. This is a two colour badge.

The Yorkshire Regt is gilt with a silver rose or Bronze with a silver rose depending on the order of dress.

The Welsh are still wearing the old RRW a/a badges for the moment.

None of them have gone back to the old brass and nickel construction.

Also see
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...read.php?t=598

Alan

[oc14]

Correct in your assumption - "white metal" badges are silver finish - almost look like they are plated, "brass" badges are a gilt type finish. I am a serving member of the Royal Anglian Regiment and wear a cap badge bought from the PRI - it is more of a bimetal type badge than the "silver/gilt" badges. For what it is worth I consider my cap badge to be original and not a restrike !

Here is another one to consider. Kimbolton School CCF wear a brass cap badge of the pattern worn in WW1 by The Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion and again in WW2 by the Huntingdonshire Home Guard. The badges that they wear are bought from a well known supplier of restrike badges. As they are worn as the Contingent Cap badge are they genuine or restrikes ? (Many of the cadtes drill ahole through the slider and secure the badge to the beret by sewing it in place - if your Hunts Cyclist Battalion cap badge has a hole in the bottom of the slider it is almost certainly a Kimbolton CCF cap badge)

Paul
OC14

[dak580]

Alan and Paul

You have both hit the nail on the head in answer to my question, thanks.

I asked about nickel/gilding badges because I was looking on e-bay for a Kings Own Royal Border Regt. Hoping to find a silver & gilt version pre 2004, I found 2 for sale but both looked like nickel & brass construction. Which made me wonder if these would have been correct issue before amalgamation?


Also many thanks Paul on the CCF information as well as regular army I also collect OTC & CCF badges when I can.
While on the subject any good books you could recommend? I see one listed on the forum but can’t find a supplier as it says it was privately published.

Many thanks both again

[Alan O]

KORBR badge were a/a on the regts No 1 dress hats. The beret badges for all ranks were cloth. I have seen the bimetal badges on ebay but they are made for the collectors/souvenir market as far as I am aware.

Alan

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by dak580

Alan and Paul

You have both hit the nail on the head in answer to my question, thanks.

I asked about nickel/gilding badges because I was looking on e-bay for a Kings Own Royal Border Regt. Hoping to find a silver & gilt version pre 2004, I found 2 for sale but both looked like nickel & brass construction. Which made me wonder if these would have been correct issue before amalgamation?


Also many thanks Paul on the CCF information as well as regular army I also collect OTC & CCF badges when I can.
While on the subject any good books you could recommend? I see one listed on the forum but can’t find a supplier as it says it was privately published.

Many thanks both again

Hi dak580,
It was a privately published book.Copies were obtainable from the author at 81,Norton Road,Bournmouth.BH92PZ.I don't know if they are still available ?
Regards,
Bantam

[Mike H]

Originally Posted by Alan Owen

KORBR badge were a/a on the regts No 1 dress hats. The beret badges for all ranks were cloth. I have seen the bimetal badges on ebay but they are made for the collectors/souvenir market as far as I am aware.

Alan

Ive got some old photos of KORBR with an a/a badge on red backing diamond,but the beret was still blue at the time.I dont know when they changed to the brown beret,or if the cloth badge was introduced at the same time as the brown beret.

[41st]

Originally Posted by Alan Owen

I think I understand you question about the finsihes and the answer is varied:

The Rifles is a frosted silver finsih (ie not shiny).

The Duke of Lancasters is a gilt and enamel badge as were the 2003 QLR badges.

The LI and Yorkshires were in an all silver shiny finish.

The Royal Regiment of Scotland is a gilt lion on a silver (shiny) cross. This is a two colour badge.

The Yorkshire Regt is gilt with a silver rose or Bronze with a silver rose depending on the order of dress.

The Welsh are still wearing the old RRW a/a badges for the moment.

None of them have gone back to the old brass and nickel construction.

Alan

Alan,
The boys walking around the streets of Cardiff are wearing the old RRW with the hackle.
I'm not sure wether they have had a badge made with a hackle retainer as was the old RWF or not.
As Bantam and I are planing a trip to the regimental museum on Tues next I will endevour to check this out.
Hwyl,
Kevin

[dak580]

Originally Posted by Bantam

Hi dak580,
It was a privately published book.Copies were obtainable from the author at 81,Norton Road,Bournmouth.BH92PZ.I don't know if they are still available ?
Regards,
Bantam

Thanks Bantam

Would you or anyone have an e-mail address or phone number for the author?

Thanks also Alan for the heads-up on the KORBR bimetal badge I'll be leaving them alone.

Cheers
John

[Alan O]

My own holdings of Issued modern non-stabrite Infantry badges are as follows:

Regts now amalgamated:

RGBW - 2 sizes in bi gold and silver finish
Queens Lancashire Regt - Gilt and Red enamel
Kings (Liverpool and Manchesters) - S/G
Light Infantry - Silver finish
The Highlanders (Gordons Seaforth & Camerons) - 3 part silver finish
Royal Green Jackets - Silver frosted
Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters - Bi
PWO Yorkshires - Silver finish
Liverpool Scottish (Platoon in Kings and Cheshire Regt TA)

In existance:

Coldstream Guards - Brass
Grenadier Guards - Brass
The Rifles - Frosted silver
Royal Regt of Fusiliers - Bi silver and gold finish.
Duke of Lancasters - Gilt and Red enamel
PWRR - Gun metal and also in gold and enamel finish (no 1 dress)
Yorkshires - Bi
Royal Marines - Bz (beret)
London Irish TA Coy

Absent and on my wants list:

Royal Regt of Scotland
Mercians

I have a spare LI one if anyone wants a swop.

If anyone has any additions to this list them please let me know.

[Chrisr]

Originally Posted by Alan Owen

John,

the QLR introduced a new design in 2003

Alan,

I assume the changes in the design were minor, can you expand on what they were?

Regards
Chris