Two tower KC Suffolk cap badge

[Sonofacqms]

I recently bought a lot with postcards, badges and medals etc. Among them was a two tower KC original Suffolk cap badge which is fairly scarce even in East Anglia, I had always thought these were made in error in the early 1900's and maybe withdrawn due to the standardisation of the "Gibralter castles".

Along with this badge came a SWB with a number which some kind helpful people found out on another forum that this recipient of the SWB had enlisted in the 13th Btn Suffolk Regt on the 1st of June 1915 and was discharged on the 8th August 1916.

These must have been in stock or struck from an incorrect die to be issued as late as this, has anyone else any more information on these badges?

Rob

[Alan O]

Rob

I can't prove it but they seem to be from the same source as the Long key Northants, the 'wrong' feathered Leinsters and the unpierced designs for various regts badges. I suspect that they were made by wartime contractors using incorrect designs in error but were issued anyway due to the shortgae of badges in 1914-15.

Some examples are in here:

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...hp?albumid=396

Not all are WW1 variations.

Alan

[Sonofacqms]

Alan,

Thanks for the thread link, yes there seems to be lots of badges that were issued during the Great War that were not as the sealed patterns, Suffolks seem one in particular that vary. This one can more or less be attributed to that period.

Rob

[magpie]

There is also a long key all brass 1916 issue Northants, unless someone can say it was used for another purpose.

Andy

[Sonofacqms]

Andy I do have a long key all brass 1916 issue Northants, bought from a very respected dealer at Bedford Militaria fair, I had forgot about this, another badge that should never have been made.

Rob