Bloemfontein 1946 badge

[roseoftheshires]

Really puzzled by this badge and would appreciate any ideas please. Interesting rear lapel fixing...

[High Wood]

It looks like a Cyclists' Club badge. South African Road Racing Club?

[peter monahan]

In Germany and Belgium [and perhaps the Netherlands?], the winged wheel is the mark of railways, railway troops and railway employees. The key must be in the two sets of initials on the white areas.

I'm going to stick my neck out, as I know zero about SA railways, and suggest that "S.A.R.R.C" on the left stands for 'South African Rail Road Corporation" and that the pin is a commemorative issued by the company or to employees for some anniversary. Perhaps the 50th or 100th of the railroad reaching Bloemfontein? The letters on the right must be the initials for whatever SARRC stands for in Boer.

Peter

[peter monahan]

Here is a SA railwayman's badge and a link to an article in the South African Railways magazine, which talks about 'Bloemfontein in 1906'. I can't see why that date is chosen, but it's exactly 50 years before the date on your pin.

BTW, Bloemfontein apparently has a railway museum. Perhaps they'd know?

http://www.theheritageportal.co.za/a...emfontein-1906

[High Wood]

I have a vintage cycling badge for the "Camberwell Wheelers" that uses the winged wheel as its emblem.

[Arthur R]

Peter Monahan is on the right track (no pun intended). SARRC stands for 'SA Railways Recreation Club' and SASOK for the Afrikaans translation, 'SA Spoorwee Ontspanningsklub'. Various SARRC/SASOK badges and devices were registered, though not this particular one. The date 1946 suggests it was made for some special event.

[roseoftheshires]

Thank you for the replies - very helpful!