Unusual SAS cap badge

SAS isn't really my field so I would like to seek guidance regarding a cap badge recently acquired. All black, anodised aluminium with slider. I know of the all brass, the bi-metal and the silver and gilt but not the a/a. Can anyone help, please ?

[Mike H]

Hi David,i know a silver and gold a/a exists,never come across an all black though.Could be have been done privately,i really dont know.

[tynesideirish]

David, Modern fantasy usually described as Northern Ireland badge. May be worth keeping as a novelty. Never worn, never issued.

[Unknownsoldier]

I posted it in the other SAS thread, the SAS guys I know, almost p*ssed 'emselves when I asked them, they said that was the last thing you'd wear in NI, bit of a death sentence.

Tom

Thanks for the first 3 replies. Concensus from other sources seems to suggest that this is a variation on the 2 tone anodised badge produced with the intention that it be worn in Northern Ireland. However, it is also suggested that the regiment itself rejected the idea (no need to p.ss yourselves ladies) as the beret wasn't worn on ops. and regimental identification in that theatre was inappropriate for special forces. So, does anyone endorse this philosophy - a genuine badge, duly sealed but never issued - one of many such examples. I would welcome genuine opinion on the subject.

I am really looking for informed opinion here, not speculation. It is very well known that 21 Regiment SAS was issued with the bi-colour a/a cap badge. It is also known that bi-metal and all brass cap badges were made, issued and worn - there is a mass of photographic evidence for this. Yes, of course, the SAS Regiments developed a preference for sew-on cloth beret badges and 22 Regiment eventually adopted them as standard with 21 Regiment following that trend some time afterwards. There is documentary evidence at the MoD that there was a reluctance to permit other ranks to wear sew-on cloth beret badges for fear of creating a precedent - reference is made in minutes of procurement meetings to 'opening flood-gates' from other regiments, particularly The Parachute Regiment who, it was felt, had as good an argument as SAS. So - whilst acknowledging that there exist numerous reproduction bi-metal, brass and sew-on cloth beret badges, is there EVIDENCE of reproduction a/a - in bi-colour or all black ? I would very much appreciate evidential information on this aspect of the subject - with my thanks in anticipation.

[Alan O]

Should anyone need a 2nd, 3rd or even more of these badges then Jeremy has a box of either sort.
http://www.militaria.co.uk/badges.as...569&catid=4731
Failing that there are loads on ebay.

There was a shop near me that had a box full as well but he retired a few years ago. Bovington Tank Museum used to stock a/a badges as well including the bi-metal one. I remember that I bought an RAC one from their extensive stock in the 1990s.

Unless the DLO got their ordering amounts very wrong in the 1970-80s then I would suggest that they have indeed been reproduced for commercial sale. They only cost £3-5 and that is very cheap considering how rare they should be if they had not been reproduced.

Alan

[Jibba Jabba]

Bovington Tank Museum used to stock a/a badges as well including the bi-metal one.

I concure. Bovington used to be one the best places to procure badges in the 1980's. I think people used to feel sorry for the museum and donate whole MOD lots to raise money for the museum. If only I had a time machine and gone back to 1986 I could of purchased an entire box of orginal 1st Commando Brigade shoulder titles, I could of been retired today. Shame I only had 50p pocket money, so I only bought one :-)

[54Bty]

The black aa badge is not an MoD item.

They are a product of the 'Militaria Specialist'.