Frosted silver QC glider pilot collar badges

[Luc]

These came in today; I was somewhat sceptic when I saw them up for sale given the size of the GPR at the time they changed from KC to QC but I'm confident they are original.

[fougasse1940]

Very nice badges Luc, and genuine IMO, but remember officers badges were private purchase, so any officer joining the GPR from around 1952 to 1957 would undoubtedly have bought QC badges.
The question wether GPR QC OR's badges were officially issued is unfortunately not answered by these. Remaining stocks and intent are the real issues here.

Rgds, Thomas.

[wright241]

Luc, Nice pair and the first ones I have seen. Well done you sceptic.....
David

[Luc]

Thank you gentlemen.

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Thomas,
Are you suggesting that the QC badges were actually in use before the sealed pattern date and what evidence do you have that proves beyond reasonable doubt that the QC badges were worn at all prior to disbandment?
Regards Frank

Originally Posted by fougasse1940

Very nice badges Luc, and genuine IMO, but remember officers badges were private purchase, so any officer joining the GPR from around 1952 to 1957 would undoubtedly have bought QC badges.
The question wether GPR QC OR's badges were officially issued is unfortunately not answered by these. Remaining stocks and intent are the real issues here.

Rgds, Thomas.

[fougasse1940]

No and none, Can't see how you read that in my post?

Rgds, Thomas.

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Thomas,
Thank you for your clarification, my question arose after reading this;

"so any officer joining the GPR from around 1952 to 1957 would undoubtedly have bought QC badges."

I too, have not seen any evidence that QC badges were worn and only have anecdotal evidence that they were not, from two veterans whose memories may have faded a little over the years.
Kind regards Frank

[wright241]

Originally Posted by Luc

These came in today; I was somewhat sceptic when I saw them up for sale given the size of the GPR at the time they changed from KC to QC but I'm confident they are original.

Luc, Worn or not. If you nowwant to send them to a good home, let me know. Private purchase they may be, but I haven't seen a pair before.
Thanks for showing them. All the best and Bon weekend. I am off for some baguettes and a few pastries (low fat of course....).
David

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Luc,
My own thoughts on these would have to be as they appear quite similar to the Firmin made kings crown officers silver collar badges, if they were not original, then where are the rest of them?
I suspect that they are what you believe them to be and perhaps part of a very small number made in the mid 1950's, perhaps as few as fifty pairs, moreover, perhaps, even before any sealed pattern.
Kind regards Frank

Originally Posted by Luc

These came in today; I was somewhat sceptic when I saw them up for sale given the size of the GPR at the time they changed from KC to QC but I'm confident they are original.

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

Hello Thomas,
Thank you for your clarification, my question arose after reading this;

"so any officer joining the GPR from around 1952 to 1957 would undoubtedly have bought QC badges."

I too, have not seen any evidence that QC badges were worn and only have anecdotal evidence that they were not, from two veterans whose memories may have faded a little over the years.
Kind regards Frank

Frank, It wouldn't have been the first time badges were worn before the official sealing date.
Other ranks badges were supplied, and only updated when existing supplies were exhausted. The need to supply QC badges might just have passed in such a relatively small corps, depending on the amount of existing KC badge stocks.

Were your two veterans officers?

Rgds, Thomas.

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Thomas,
Good heavens yes, it was often quite the norm for a given badge to be worn well before the pattern was actually sealed, it is interesting to speculate what was going on here, no, neither of the GPR veterans were commissioned, one was a Sgt and the other a WO2, though, both are still rather sharp!
Kind regards Frank

[Luc]

Frank, for comparison, a silver frosted KC collar badge made by Firmin and the QC one from this thread. They are quite different in my opinion.

It is possible that these were made in anticipation of the official introduction (like the cloth RACC shoulder title); but were never purchased.

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Luc,
I think they are perhaps more similar on the reverse that the front, though, the lugs are differant, but, again, if they are wrong, then where are the rest of them?
The only thing I don't like about them is where you got them from!
Regards Frank

[Luc]

Frank, the reverse is different too.

[Frank Kelley]

Good morning Luc,
Yes I do see your point, I just glanced at a pair of kc and thought at that moment they were similar.
Regards Frank