Volunteer Medical Staff Corps Helmplate

[Markus Bodeux]

Hello Gentlemen,
this helmplate is offered to me. I can only find this one with the VC, but here we have a KC, soldered on separately to the star.
Is is it a variant after 1902 or pure fantasy/copy ?

Thanks for any help and kind regards
Markus

[manchesters]

Markus,

Both the plate and the crown are original items.

It was not uncommon for QVC crowns to be replaced on the accession of King Edward the 7th to the throne in 1901 as a cost saving exercise but normally on officers plates, yours is an other ranks.

However the RAMC Volunteers absorbed them in 1902 so hardly time for a Kings Crown to be fitted.

May have been done at the time or by a collector at a much later date.

regards

[Markus Bodeux]

Hello Simon
So the VMSC was abolished or renamed in 1902 if i understand correctly ?

I have made an offer to the seller. Patina and oxydation on both parts/the complete badge is similar, white metal colour matching, also the lugs on top and badge look similar. So i will give it a chance to be a period altered badge.

Thanks again for your help
Markus

[Markus Bodeux]

At least i got the plate and i am very happy about it !
The "finish" is the same all over the badge and all lugs are fixed/soldered in the same way.
The Volunteer Medical Staff Corps got official status in 1885 and was retitled Royal Army Medical Corps (Volunteers) in 1902. (if i am right ?).
So, as Simon mentioned, there is a very short range of time for this badge with the KC, and for me now a nice and possibly rare variant in my small collection of corps badges.

Kind regards
Markus