QVC Devonshire

[mooke07]

Hi all,

Not a badge have seen before except on a regimental crest postage stamp in Rob Miller’s album. Size of the Devonshire a regiment QVC Station Masters badge.

Glengarry?

Cheers Dean

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by mooke07

Hi all,

Not a badge have seen before except on a regimental crest postage stamp in Rob Miller’s album. Size of the Devonshire a regiment QVC Station Masters badge.

Glengarry?

Cheers Dean

I've not seen one before either. The loops seem too short to be a band pouch badge (usually screw posts anyway) and I don't think its a glengarry badge, as it's an 1898 badge design (less the scroll), by which time the field service cap was in service with a small badge initially (usually a right facing collar). The large size suggests it was a SNCOs (battalion HQ staff) 'round forage cap' badge at some point (the cap worn 1880-1902). Although these were usually in bullion, in some regiments the militia battalion wore metal, and in others the 1st and 2nd Battalions varied in such a manner for a short time (e.g. the Wilts Regt (one bullion one metal)). It's very intriguing, but nothing else really fits. It might well also have only been worn a short time and if just for the HQ staff only a few would have been made. It really needs consultation with an 'interested' expert based at the museum (Dorchester), if there is one, who could examine photographs in the archives.

[manchesters]

My first thought was Indian Mess Servant Turban badge

regards

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by manchesters

My first thought was Indian Mess Servant Turban badge

regards

That is a possibility Simon, but their badges were not usually so large. I enclose such a badge, usually fitted with a pin to go through the pagri ('turban') folds.

[Rob Miller]

I seem to remember it being described as a pouch badge, but I can't remember where I saw it?

Rob

[grenadierguardsman]

A beauty.
Andy

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Rob Miller

I seem to remember it being described as a pouch badge, but I can't remember where I saw it?

Rob

It's the right size for a pouch, but the loops are too short to go through the thick leather of a music case.

[mooke07]

Many thanks all for really useful info and thoughts.

I had considered the pouch and Mess Waiters badges but the pattern and loops fit more to me as short issue senior NCO not Officer and shall write to museum.

Someone might have seen one - scoured old auction lists etc to no avail, best regards Dean

[Rob Miller]

The similar pouch badge I was thinking off was bi-metal with three threaded posts for attachment, the fact that yours is white metal would presumably indicate a volunteer battalion? I understand VB insignia and equipment from this period was privately purchased so it wouldn't surprise me if the fittings where less substantial or that the leather of a pouch was thinner.

Rob

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Rob Miller

The similar pouch badge I was thinking off was bi-metal with three threaded posts for attachment, the fact that yours is white metal would presumably indicate a volunteer battalion? I understand VB insignia and equipment from this period was privately purchased so it wouldn't surprise me if the fittings where less substantial or that the leather of a pouch was thinner.

Rob

There was certainly some private purchase of insignia that’s true Rob, as supply was dealt with via purchase arranged directly by county associations, but music cases and cartouche cases were to standardised dimensions (e.g. to fit government supplied ammunition) and badges either had screw posts or much stouter and longer fixing loops. Based on many others that I’ve seen and handled I’m positive it’s not a pouch badge, but as to other purposes I remain open minded. For rifle volunteer units a small badge was usually worn on the pouch itself, but with a larger badge on the front often with chain and whistle beneath. Again the badge had to have long enough fixings to protrude through apertures in the leather and be secured on the other side without snagging on the cloth of the uniform. Screw posts were the preferred method for this.

[Keith Blakeman]

What metal is it?

[mooke07]

Hi Keith,

A 63x60mm one piece badge which is die struck in white metal with dark toned loops 10mm in length.

Don't think it is a pouch badge - not a regular pattern badge and WM VB or NCO perhaps. I have small pouch and large pouch belt badges for the King's Colonials and King Edward's Horse that were all private purchase and all on screw threads.

Thoughts appreciated as it sits at the top of my desk in all its unidentified glory, cheers Dean

[alan g]

Dean
I have one of these gilding metal with screw posts also a bi metal KC with screw posts . Bosleys 3rd March 2010 lots 151 and 160

Best regards
Alan

[mooke07]

Any chance of pics please Alan - so yours are pouch badges then I take it, cheers Dean.

[tim]

W/m. Crown broken off, No signs of any fixing on rear.

Always believed this badge as Devonshire Regiment Band pouch badge. Tim.