Metal detector finds

[High Wood]

At the car boot this morning was a bloke selling off some of his metal detector finds. I bought a selection of badges and buttons from him out of a huge collection of mainly damaged, broken or degraded badges that he had dug up in England over many years detecting. The ones that I bought I selected because either they were unknown to me, were unusual or stood some chance of being cleaned up to a reasonable standard. Amongst the selection shown, some of which I have partially cleaned, are some oddities that I would like help with identifying please.

[High Wood]

This shoulder title has completely stumped me. G.B.H

[High Wood]

These presumably are the 70th and 84th regiments of Foot and must therefore be pre 1881. How and where would these have been worn, i.e. what type of head gear or other equipment?

[High Wood]

This one may not be military but seems to be vaguely familiar. It appears to be some kind of imp or demon attacking a serpent. It is stamped out of thin brass and I haven't yet attempted to clean it other than by giving it a quick brush with a hush puppy cleaning brush.

[wright241]

Originally Posted by High Wood

These presumably are the 70th and 84th regiments of Foot and must therefore be pre 1881. How and where would these have been worn, i.e. what type of head gear or other equipment?

What was referred to as a pork pie hat.

[High Wood]

Thank you; presumably they would of had lugs.

[Sonofacqms]

This title appears to be made from individual letters soldered onto two brass strips, probably Colonial from around the Boer war period xxxxx xxxxxx HORSE.

[High Wood]

After a bit of googling I think that it me be a S/T from the Gordon Boys Home which was an institute set up after the death of General Gordon, (Chinese Gordon, Gordon of Khartoum, etc). It seems to have been run on semi-military lines and a great many former pupils gave their lives in both world wars.

Simon,

The University of London OTC, looks in good nick for a metal detector find. Well done on that little haul, mate.

Peter

[ANGLE IRON]

That is very interesting regarding General Gordon, Would that have been a cadet unit of sorts?

[High Wood]

The University of London O.T.C. is the brass officer's pattern and consequently cleaned up nicely. The back, particularly the slider is very corroded. I have spent most of the afternoon buffing and polishing these badges in the hope of at least partially restoring them.

[High Wood]

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/megan.z...ordon_home.htm

Try the above link which leads to a website about the Gordon Boy's Home. Scroll down to section 10 to 14 and you will get an idea of the uniforms that the boys wore.

[High Wood]

These two have cleaned up quite nicely.

[GriffMJ]

Do you know what the Dragon one is? It reminds me of a Polish Armoured Regiment Cap badge?

[High Wood]

No I am afraid that I don't know what it is, I am not even sure if it is Military.