Bosley's 4th RIDG osd tomorrow

[Bill]

A question about Lot 403 in Bosley's sale tomorrow, "Irish. 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards OSD bronze badge circa 1902-22. Die-cast. Scroll “4th (R.I) Dragoon Guards”; mounted centre. J.R. Gaunt London late Jennens Loops VGC"

As I understand it, Gaunt's bought Jennens in 1924, yet the 4th RIDG and 7th DG were amalgamated in 1922, so please can anyone why was this badge struck in 1924 or after?

Thanks
Bill

[Alan O]

Bill

The 'late Jennings' reflects the retention of their tradename by Gaunts for a period after their acquisition so it's entitle possible for a 1924 or later production date to be correct for this badge.

Alan

[Bill]

Thanks Alan

By why strike a badge in 1924 for the 4thRIDG only when the regiment was amalgamated in 1922 with the 7thDG?

Did they use their own badges until the new pattern was eventually sealed in 30/01/1930?

Cheers
Bill

[Alan O]

Bill

Yes they did retain the old designs. Many people don't realise that after 1922, many of the regiments did not adopt a single regimental badge for some years.

The junior regiment badges were often retained by a single squadron.

Alan

[Bill]

Thank you Alan.
Interesting. So do you think this Jennens original design is post 1918?
Bill

[Alan O]

The die could well be pre that but the reverse modified to show the Gaunt name.

[Bill]

Thanks Alan.

[Bill]

Alan
Another question about this pattern.
Was it actually issued? When they turn up they are nearly always in pristine condition. In Dress Regs "4th Royal Irish D. Guards" was the official designation for the badge not "4th R.I Dragoon Guards" as on the Jennens' version. Also they missed out the full stop after the I which is uncharacteristic of the high production standard set by them.
Cheers
Bill

[manchesters]

Sold for £130 plus all the commissions etc.

regards

[KLR]

I think it was 1925 - but I'll check.
More important is that Jennens' archives survive amongst the Gaunt papers. Half of it is at B'ham archives and the other at NAM. I've found a book of rubbings - but I'm afraid that I only made of photocopy of the KLR pages !
In haste, I'll try and look up the location / reference.

[Bill]

Many thanks.
Is the Birmingham Archive kept in the City Library?
Under which catalogue heading are the Jennens/Gaunt records kept?
And do you need to make an appointment to see them?
Regards
Bill

[Keith Blakeman]

The version with the mounted centre is certainly more attractive and I believe this pattern of wording on the scroll is rarer?

There were dozens of the other pattern in an incomplete state in the Gaunt archives stuff I had access to years ago, probably Gaunt's own castings.

[Bill]

Yes Keith, it is rarer, that is why I think it is post WW1, when Jennens hit hard times and before the Gaunts takeover was finally completed in 1925.
Julian, I found your previous post on Jennens and the archives. Very useful.
Regards
Bill