customs - was this a manufacturing error ? - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

natal01 · #1 29-11-11, 05:21 PM

I have this SA Customs bullion cap badge which seems to have a Kings crown and an ER11 cypher. Was this a mistake ?

zob · #2 29-11-11, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natal01

I have this SA Customs bullion cap badge which seems to have a Kings crown and an ER11 cypher. Was this a mistake ?

Hi,

No I don’t think it’s a mistake as Elizabeth II became Head of the Commonwealth in 1952, but wasn’t crowned until 1953. So my guess is yes – it’s perfectly kosher.

Best regards,
Zob.

Arthur R · #3 29-11-11, 08:48 PM

I understand that a period of five years, i.e. 1952-57, was allowed for changing badges from the Tudor crown to the St Edward's crown, in which case it could have been OK to combine the 'king's crown' with the queen's cipher during that period.

The defence force (some naval officers excepted), police, and railways police didn't change their badges to the new crown at all -- perhaps the customs department was of like mind.