RCMP opinions

[jim a]

I just recieved this badge today... it came on a leather belt with 4 other badges... I don't believe that this is the original lug setup... it's something I've never come across before... badge is marked Made in England but no other makers marks that I can see... any comments are welcome thanks Jim A

[jim a]

[guest_000]

Looks like the cast badge made for the Platton on duty in Britian during WW11
NICE FIND

paul

[Bill A]

Jim, Could you get an image at a bit of an oblique angle to show the fasteners better? Thanks.

[jim a]

Paul... thanks for the info re usage in Britian during WW2... I was holding my breath abit because that's what I thought I might have... nice to have a second opinion.... Bill.... how's this?

[Bill A]

Excellent image Jim.
That type of fastener is usually associated with attachment to leather or some similar material, eg as a pouch or cross belt badge. The pointed ends are designed to pierce the material / leather and be bent over to hold the badge in place.
Is the badge the same size as a cap badge? John Cameron should have more to add when he logs on.

[jim a]

Bill.... the badge came off a leather belt which was decorated with 4 other badges... not rcmp related... it matches up size wise with the badge illustrated in mazeas 1920-50.... but the detail on the leaf pattern just above the scroll looks to be slightly different... Jim

[John Cameron]

Jim,
That is a very nice badge. It would be interesting to see if the flat tangs are a replacement. The pattern of the badge itself is not unusual, I've seen a few of them over the years, before I got into serious MP collecting. I believe the pattern is pre 1940, and your particular example may have been employed as a martingale.
Cheers
John

[jim a]

John.... thanks for the info.... just one question... what's a martingale.... never heard the term used before..... Jim

[Bill A]

Hello Jim, A martingale is a type of harness, used for many animals, where the setup has straps that cross on the animal's chest. There is often room for an embellishment at the cross over section and badges were / are placed at the location.
Martingale and RCMP Martingale (Pre WW1)

There are martingale badges for other Canadian cavalry regiments, but they are quite scarce.

[John Cameron]

Jim,
Oops, it never crossed my mind that martingales are a rather esoteric form of badge and not familiar to some collectors. Martingale badges are usually cast and secured by screw posts and as Bill says, Canadian ones are very scarce.
The RCMP still use them on the Musical Ridehttp://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/musicalride/ridecentre_e.htm
I think I should go down and have a chat with the saddler.

Bill, Nice Boer War link I wasn't aware of. Looks to me like that Boer War martingale is a generic Victorian crest with a piece of broken off cap badge added later.

[Bill A]

Hello John, That site is new to me too. Some interesting material there.