Today’s new (random) items

[AATTV]

Dear all,

Some new badges purchased today. Could you please help me to identify those badges? Are they legit?



Thanks,

AATTV

[Wooffy]

Enameled badge is what it says - Observer Corps. It is Pre-1941 and is likely to be marked Phillips or Gaunt on the reverse. (Gaunt being less frequently seen than the Phillips variant).

[AATTV]

Dear Wooffy,

Thank you for your reply! Is it a veteran badge?

Best regards,

AATTV

[Wooffy]

Sorry AATTV - should have said some more. This badge was issued to members of the Observer Corps (OC) from 1938/39 up to 1941. During the early stages of the war most members of the OC wore their own clothes whilst on duty, with the exception of officers who were issued uniforms and they used this badge in conjunction with an armband. The OC became 'Royal' in April 1941 and the badge changed in design to include the word 'Royal' and it had a crown on top of it. The badge was frequently worn on the lapel of suit jackets, and it was also used as a cap badge and worn on beret's by members of the corps whilst on duty.

There was a economy issued version (without the blue enamel) and these were exclusively made by Gaunt. The three main versions (Gaunt with Enamel, Phillips with Enamel and Gaunt Economy) were all issued with a horizontal pin fastening and also a horse shoe / button hole fastening.

[AATTV]

Dear Wooffy,

I am very grateful to you for this long and precise answer!! Highly appreciated

Have a lovely evening.

Kind regards,

AATTV

[arrestingu]

...nice little WW2 officers bullion beret patch to the Labour Corps.
Regards steve

[Hoot]

Originally Posted by arrestingu

...nice little WW2 officers bullion beret patch to the Labour Corps.
Regards steve

I notice that it has the title "Pioneer Corps" on the scroll instead of the motto "Labor Omnia Vincit", I've never come across one like that before.

[AATTV]

Well spotted! I can take some close-up and back pictures if needed.

Best regards,

AATTV

[Hoot]

If the Pioneer Corps badge is genuine and it looks to me as though it is, then I would say it was for wear on the gs cap and is a rare find having the title instead of the motto.

[Ian B]

Regarding the two para quals on the right of the photo in the opening post. The top one is for female members of the forces of Singapore. It looks good to me.

The bottom one is from Belgium, that appeared in the 1970's. With the gold bullion, it was made for officers. The same design with silver bullion was for NCO's. The caveat for this one is that it was so different to the normal design of the Belgium para qual that it was not authorized for wear. So, while not an outright fake or repro, it is not official. I would keep it as on oddity.

Hope this helps.

Ian

[AATTV]

Dear all,

Than you very much for your help and explanations!

Sincerely,

AATTV