Scarce Tank Corps "Small Pattern" OSD. - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

2747andy · #1 03-06-15, 10:33 AM

I thought I'd share this scarce little gem, a "Small Pattern" OSD Tank Corps Cap Badge. Whilst I have seen plenty of collar badges this size, this is the first cap badge I've encountered! Not maker marked it measures 39 x 28 mm and is shown next to an OR's cap badge for size comparison.

Andy

Alex Rice · #2 03-06-15, 10:58 AM

Nice one Andy!

davec2 · #3 03-06-15, 12:28 PM

I concur

Sonofacqms · #4 03-06-15, 02:54 PM

There is a theory that small OSD cap badges were worn so as not to highlight the officer wearing one. I have a small OSD Royal Engineers.

Nice badge Andy . . !

Rob

Roy · #5 03-06-15, 03:13 PM

Lovely little badge Andy.

Well done and thank for sharing this beauty.

Cheers, Roy.

engr9266 · #6 03-06-15, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

There is a theory that small OSD cap badges were worn so as not to highlight the officer wearing one. I have a small OSD Royal Engineers.

Nice badge Andy . . !

Rob

Can you show the RE osd badge please??

jerry.

yorkstone · #7 03-06-15, 04:27 PM

This is a nice looking badge Andy. Any one have photographic evidence of this badge being worn.

I have never seen one befor and will have to look much closer and try and add one to my Cavalry collection.

Regards

Stephen

Chipper · #8 03-06-15, 05:49 PM

Stunning. You do turn up some beauties, Andy.

Tim

2747andy · #9 03-06-15, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

There is a theory that small OSD cap badges were worn so as not to highlight the officer wearing one. I have a small OSD Royal Engineers.

Nice badge Andy . . !

Rob

Rob
That's probably nothing more than a romantic tale, the wearing of a completely different style of uniform would be a tell tale sign for even the most inept sniper or potential assailant! I think the smaller pattern is more likely due to preference and coming from a parent Regiment accustomed to wearing a smaller badge in the SD cap?

Andy

manchesters · #10 03-06-15, 08:10 PM

Speaking from the Manchester Regiment perspective I can add the following.

In WW1 it was not uncommon for officers to wear the OSD Collar badge on their caps and also a smaller version of the OSD cap badge as well. (As per Andy's TC badge)

I always thought it was because when they wore the floppy cap with broad cloth chinstrap it left the viewing area for the badge much narrower.

These are just my observations from a lot of wartime photos.

regards

Sonofacqms · #11 03-06-15, 08:54 PM

Andy,

This romantic tale was told to me by the late Hugh King when I asked him about the small OSD RE badge which has a brooch pin fitting.

Jerry, sorry I cannot put my hand on this badge at present, as and when I will post a pic.

Rob

Marcus H · #12 03-06-15, 09:46 PM

I like it. A very nice badge with great detail, Andy.

Here's another example of a small OSD with blades.

Best,

Marcus

John Mulcahy · #13 04-06-15, 01:46 AM

There does appear to be a bit of a trend in the adoption of smaller badges in OSD caps by several regiments. By 1914 both the Irish Guards & the Royal Munster Fusiliers were wearing smaller cap badges in OSD.

In the case of the Irish Guards that was the use of a small gilt & enamel cap star in place of the bronzed full size star and in the case of the Munsters the replacement of the bronzed badge on the left with that on the right (silver & gilt). The practice in the Munsters was not 100% widespread however and with the raising of the additional service battalions a mix of old (full size) and smaller badges can be seen.

John

2747andy · #14 04-06-15, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

Andy,

This romantic tale was told to me by the late Hugh King when I asked him about the small OSD RE badge which has a brooch pin fitting.

Jerry, sorry I cannot put my hand on this badge at present, as and when I will post a pic.

Rob

Rob,
He probably based his theory on fantasy rather than fact? As I mentioned above, you could spot a WW1 officer from miles away, just by the cut of his cloth and the equipment he would have worn, there would have very little point in reducing the size of his cap badge by a few millimetres?

I think he may have spun you a Tall Tale!

Best Regards

Andy

engr9266 · #15 04-06-15, 07:00 AM

Another theory, I have a small GVR R.E. badge in cast brass on a slider that when it was discussed on the forum a few years back, it was said that it could have been made up by a military family for a replica uniform to be worn by a son. Could these badges be, possibly the same ????
Just a theory.