Made black 17/21L

[bess55]

Chaps, found yesterday, one of the more elusive made black anodised alluminium cap badges 17/21L.

This is only the 2nd one I have ever come across. Both are unmarked on the slider and I 'believe' are from the Gaunt die.

The first I found in a junk shop in Hong Kong around 2006. It has a shiny/gloss type finish.

The one I picked up yesterday is matt black.

Does anyone have any different versions out there?

Regards all

Bess

[grenadierguardsman]

Nice find Bess.
Andy

[Calpe]

Nice find Bess. Another one to add to my list.
Ian

[bess55]

They dont turn up that often - along with the Yorkshire Regt.

Bess

[JerryBB]

Bess, when you say made black, I assume you mean black from the factory rather than field painted?

[bess55]

Jerry, yes alluminium badge manufactured with a black anodised coating. Not field.painted.

There are several regiments, some way more scarce than others. Generally made for Op Banner tpurs (Northern Ireland) but laterly for a generic 'tactical' reason.

Bess

[JerryBB]

Thanks Bess.

I have a factory black finished Para badge which is the only I can remember having off the top of my head as well as a few field painted badges.

[leigh kitchen]

I have the black Para Regt one with oval backing plate, a Para got it for me when he went to do some jumps, can't remember where, probably Aldershot, it was worn by the regiment though I don't know if it was issue or PRI bought. He gave me a silver anod one with oval backing plate at the same time.
Black finished badges were produced for general sale for a host of units back in the 1980's and 90's (about the first I saw around was the A & SH one a serving A & SH had given his civilian brother) some of which would've, presumably, been bought by units for sale by the PRI, others by individual squaddies and the RM one I would think was never worn and just bought by collectors.

[grey_green_acorn]

Here are a few factory blackened badges from different makers - all likely sold through the PRI.

Tim

[bess55]

Leigh, the black RM one I believe was for juniors.

[leigh kitchen]

Ta, I hadnt heard of that.

[Mike H]

Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn

Here are a few factory blackened badges from different makers - all likely sold through the PRI.

Tim

There's a few more RGJ examples Tim
Firmin & Sons
A lugged version
A blank slider
Firmin London

[leigh kitchen]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

I have the black Para Regt one with oval backing plate, a Para got it for me when he went to do some jumps, can't remember where, probably Aldershot, it was worn by the regiment though I don't know if it was issue or PRI bought. He gave me a silver anod one with oval backing plate at the same time.
Black finished badges were produced for general sale for a host of units back in the 1980's and 90's (about the first I saw around was the A & SH one a serving A & SH had given his civilian brother) some of which would've, presumably, been bought by units for sale by the PRI, others by individual squaddies and the RM one I would think was never worn and just bought by collectors.

The black Para Regt with lugs one I have was acquired from a mate on 29/12/87 from NAAFI, PRI or stores at a cost to him of £1.05.
I'd previously seen one he had back in 1985.
He was 10 Para and had also served with 1 Para.

I have a note that Pete Fuller's sales list no. 22 in 1986 listed a Para Regt black plastic for Northern Ireland wear which may be a reference to the blackened aluminium badge.

[Paddy]

Hello Bess

Not a different one but the same as yours I believe.

Paddy

[bess55]

Yes Paddy, identical. Nice badges - Gaunt die I think.