The Devonshire Regiment - but what is it? - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

1stTankie · #1 13-03-13, 12:14 PM

I bought this "badge" (I say that because I'm not sure what else to call it) in New Orleans in 1977. It was in a militaria shop close to Bourbon Street with mostly American offerings, as you would expect, but with some British bits and pieces bought from Wallis and Wallis (predates Bosley) and shipped over.
The shop owner had no idea what it is and I really only bought it because I did my basic training in the Bloody 11th.

Measurements: H 12.7cms, W 8.6cms (or 5ins x 3 1/4 ins in old money). There is a slight curvature to the back plate. On the reverse is the head of a unicorn under which is written Potter/London/Makers.

Answers to the questions "What for", "Where and When" would be most welcome.

Best wishes

Gordon

cavalryman · #2 13-03-13, 12:40 PM

hi gordon, the name potter is associated with band regalia, the family specialised in drum making, bugle making & flute making based in charing cross and one of the brothers moving to a shop in aldershot, so something to do with a military band would be the likeliest of answers. regards john p.s. i have seen a brass plate of the type worn by a drum major with potter stamped on the reverse this may be the same. pm sent regarding more details

Peter Brydon · #3 13-03-13, 02:41 PM

Some similiar items here: ( scroll down middle row )

http://www.qcmilitaria.com/belts.htm

(Despite the sellers descriptions, I dont think these are actually colour cross belt plates )

P.B.

1stTankie · #4 13-03-13, 06:18 PM

Hi John

Many thanks for your response. I feel sure that it has something to do with either the Regimental Band or one of the battalions' Corps of Drums, possibly worn on the drum carrying sling. My problem with this however is that there are no means on the reverse to secure it to the sling, There is nothing missing by way of "fasteners" and the screw posts are too short to go through what I imagine would have been a buff leather sling.

Thank you also for your PM, I will follow up your suggestion.

Best wishes

Gordon

1stTankie · #5 13-03-13, 06:28 PM

Hi Peter

Many thanks for your steer to qcmilitaria. It was interesting to see the items manufactured by Potter; one of these has distinct similarities.

I am searching the Potter website (not easy as all Potters seem to be related to Harry!)and will forward the photographs and ask their opinion.

I will let you know if something positive comes out of this.

Best wishes

Gordon

matti467 · #6 13-03-13, 06:57 PM

Hello Gordon
Having looked at the pictures I was wondering if the screw posts had been shortened so as to allow framing or mounting after it had served its purpose.
Yours
Matti
p.s.I discovered my Grandfather was in 1 RTR and also 1st Light Bttn too

JerryBB · #7 13-03-13, 07:18 PM

I find it a bit odd that the upper fixing hole in the backing plate goes through the head of the unicorn and wondered if they did not originally belong together?

1stTankie · #8 13-03-13, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBBOND

I find it a bit odd that the upper fixing hole in the backing plate goes through the head of the unicorn and wondered if they did not originally belong together?

Hi Jerry

An interesting observation. It raises the question of where the badge and scroll were worn if not on this plate. Thoughts?

Personally I believe that this is how it was made, I don't think the integrity of the badge has been compromised.

Gordon

Peter Brydon · #9 14-03-13, 07:05 AM

Potters appear to have made items that were not intended to be worn/used but were for display only,they certainly made drum bodies that were flattened so they could be displayed.

I wonder if this might fall into the display item category ?

P.B.

cavalryman · #10 14-03-13, 08:16 PM

hi pb, i went into their branch in aldershot years ago (it's up the same road as the militaria fair) the shop is still there but now empty, however on the wall in the shop were the painted panels of maybe 20 military regimental drums with all the battle honours etc, i only purchased some flat belt buckles in chrome and brass and some courlene belts but seeing those drums was something else. regards john

Peter Brydon · #11 15-03-13, 08:52 AM

John,

There is a flattened drum body for sale on the Q and C Militaria website. I image a display of them would be very impressive.

They ( Q and C) mention a few items being from the Potters collection and I wonder what the Potters collection was ? Do you recall if all the items on display at the Aldershot shop were for sale or could some of the items be part of the Potters Collection ?

P.B.

cavalryman · #12 15-03-13, 08:21 PM

hi pb, sorry i don't know anything about "the potter collection" the items in the shop i believe you could order any of it to be made up for you, the belts, buckles, white gloves, drum majors gauntlets, etc you could buy there and then. regards john

JerryBB · #13 15-03-13, 09:51 PM

Henry Potter was a well known musical instrument maker, I posted on a thread about him on either the GWF or Victorian Wars forum in the past and a friend posted this bugle on War Relics forum.

Here is one thread that mentions Potter as the main producer of British military musical instruments for a very long period, 200 years in mentioned.

http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtop...=Potter#p25519

1stTankie · #14 19-03-13, 07:00 PM

p.s.I discovered my Grandfather was in 1 RTR and also 1st Light Bttn too[/QUOTE]

Hi Matti

Plesae PM me with a name and period of service, I may have known him!!

Best wishes

Gordon

1stTankie · #15 19-03-13, 07:03 PM

Here is one thread that mentions Potter as the main producer of British military musical instruments for a very long period, 200 years in mentioned.

http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtop...=Potter#p25519[/QUOTE]

Hi Jerry

Many thanks for your input. I am currently in contact with the Potter company but initial responses suggest, that having moved twice, all the records have been lost.

But watch this space.

Best wishes

Gordon