RAC officers' badge - I wondered?

[rac1944]

Has anyone ever seen or heard of a 1st pattern RAC officers' badge in silver? Strictly there should not be any such badge, ACI 2276 11/1941 stated that RAC officers were to wear the ORs pattern badge until the new design had been finalised.

But...knowing how units (and men) regularly bent the rules and the fact that there seems to be something like a nearly six month gap between the first numbered RAC regiments being formed and the availability of 2nd pattern badges, I started to wonder whether there were some officers who may have had privately commissioned silver badges in the 1st pattern style? Fevered imagination or a possibility??

Does anyone have any clues as to when the 2nd pattern badge did become available? ACIs are notoriously 'off-date' to be a reliable source of definite introduction dates and ACI 500 03/1942 implies the badges would be available soon, I've not come across an ACI confirming that they were now ready to be indented.

John

[fearnaught]

Hi John, there was a first pattern bronze badge even an IAC, but I've never seen a silver one, best wishes Mike

[rac1944]

Thanks Mike, do you have a photo of a bronze 1st pattern?
John

[fearnaught]

Hi John, sorry for delay, holidays etc. best wishes Mike PS they are both the same size, blame the camera in micro mode, Mike

[rac1944]

Thanks Mike, interesting then that the ACI was ignored, not many of these around I guess.
John