SEAFORTHS - DATE QUESTION

[CAM]

I saw this on Pintrest as a Seaforth Forage Cap Badge. Does anyone know if it was worn and, if so, the date it was worn?

I have seen other pictures with Elephant and 78 (suggesting pre 1881) but not seen this (although I had not really been looking!)

Regards

Chris

[CAM]

Bump

[Paul Spellman]

Chairborne ??

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by CAM

I saw this on Pintrest as a Seaforth Forage Cap Badge. Does anyone know if it was worn and, if so, the date it was worn?

I have seen other pictures with Elephant and 78 (suggesting pre 1881) but not seen this (although I had not really been looking!)

Regards

Chris

I’m very lucky that after a 20-year hunt I eventually tracked down both copies of William and Kathleen Bloomers highly specialised and seminal works on Scottish regimental badges and neither of them, along with Kipling and King make mention of your badge. As a keen historian of uniform I’d be interested to see which forage cap is being spoken of as from the mid 1820s highland regiments were wearing either a glengarry or the earlier Kilmarnock bonnet. Only SNCOs on the Battalion Staff ever wore a headdress described as a forage cap. This is especially so given that the absence of a number suggests a post 1881 badge. After dwelling on it a while I saw the enclosed image and can only think that it might be a part badge from an earlier version of the shoulder belt plate. The more usual version of such a plate had the same title less elephant as that used for the collar badge.

[oc14]

At the back of my mind, something tells me that it's related to the Highland Light Infantry although I may be way off the mark....

Paul

[dubaiguy]

Well there was such an elephant on an Assaye scroll as part of a 74th's plaid brooch. The brooch was a plain quoit with voided centre and the 'elephant with Assaye scroll' was attached across the void. I assume in silver or plate. It may be a representation of that elephant.

Not headdress as far as I'm concerned.
Mark

[oc14]

Originally Posted by dubaiguy

Well there was such an elephant on an Assaye scroll as part of a 74th's plaid brooch. The brooch was a plain quoit with voided centre and the 'elephant with Assaye scroll' was attached across the void. I assume in silver or plate. It may be a representation of that.

Not headdress as far as I'm concerned.
Mark

I think it is either a pouch badge (possibly a band item) or a crossbelt badge ??

Paul

[dubaiguy]

I knew I had some info on the 74th's brooch somewhere. The Bulletin of the Military Historical Society No 247 February 2012. 'Officer's Plaid Brooches of the Highland Regiments'.

The elephant was attached by pegs.

A few suggestions from members heading in the right direction on what it's supposed to be I think.
Mark

[dubaiguy]

Just to muddy the water on the example shown in the first post, here's a picture of the Martin Marsh fake. Bad picture I'm afraid. Similarities? Mmmmm!
Mark

[Neil s]

I have put it with the HLI but I have no evidence the brooch is not the size or quality for an officer
IMG_20210208_184830.jpgIMG_20210208_184838.jpgIMG_20220919_110552.jpgIMG_20220919_110533.jpg

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by dubaiguy

I knew I had some info on the 74th's brooch somewhere. The Bulletin of the Military Historical Society No 247 February 2012. 'Officer's Plaid Brooches of the Highland Regiments'.

The elephant was attached by pegs.

A few suggestions from members heading in the right direction on what it's supposed to be I think.
Mark

I think that’s likely it Mark, good spot.

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Neil s

I have put it with the HLI but I have no evidence the brooch is not the size or quality for an officer
Attachment 277339Attachment 277340Attachment 277344Attachment 277345

Yes I think that fits perfectly Neil, I think you and Mark have cracked it between you. Good job.