The Royal Australian Regiment brass hat badge - 1953 to 60

[slick_mick]

The Royal Australian Regiment brass hat badge - 1953 to 60

[Chrisr]

Mick,
We were still being issued with brass badges of this type in the early to mid 1970's. The staybright version didn't come in until the late 70's or early 80's. I am not sure of the actual date of the change as I served a posting in the RAR in the early 1970's and later came back in a brigade appointment in the late 70's and even then I am not sure the staybright badge was being issued. Some one else might be able to pin the date down.
Cheers
Chris

[slick_mick]

Hi Chris,

Was this just in one battalion or all battalions? I was under the impression that the anodised version would have been issued from the 1960s.

Interesting - I'll have to ask around as well. I know a few other ex RAR diggers who I might ask.

Mick

[Chrisr]

Mick,

It was all battalions, certainly our sister battalion had brass hat badges and all of the people I associated with wore brass cap/hat badges well into the 70's. I didn't see any anodised RAR badges until the late 80's, although they may have been introduced earlier. Indeed I recall that the only issue anodised badge in the 1960's and 70's was SASR and, in the mid 60's, the Reserve Regiments: RNSWR, RQR, RVR, RTR, RSAR and RWAR. At RMC we also wore brass cap badges throughout the 60's.

Cheers
Chris

[slick_mick]

Hi Chris,

I spoke to some other ex RAR diggers (including Vietnam vets) who can confirm they also wore a brass hat badge in Vietnam during the 1960s and in Australian during the 1970s. Interesting - I wonder why they continued to where the brass badge when the rest of teh army was going towards anodised badges.

Mick

[Chrisr]

Mick,

Only SASR and the reserve infantry regiment badges went a/a in the 1960's.

The rest of the Army retained brass badges during the 1960's and 1970's. All of my colleagues from other corps wore brass or bi-metal badges during that period. A/a were a late introduction into the Australian Army, other than SASR and those I mentioned in my previous post. In fact from recollection a/a badges started coming into the regular Army in the 1980's. One reason may be they were using up old stocks, as the reserve regiment badges were all new designs following moving to the new multi-battalion regimental system and SASR became a Regiment in its own right in 1964. Although they must have had a lot badges to go that length of time.

Cheers
Chris

[wombat]

G'day Guys. Picked this up a few years ago in a Antique shop.

I've always associated bronze coloured badges as being for officer's use only. This one is a stunning looking badge in a rich mahogany colour. It is maker marked on the reverse "Frankston Vic"

I think these badges were in use around 1948? Now is this a oficer's badge and is it genuine? or a fantasy piece or private purchase.

Anyone else have one to compare? Appreciate your help Guys.
Roy

[Chrisr]

Not sure about this one Roy. It looks OK to me.

In Australia post World War II officers wore the same badges as OR's. For the RAR it was brass. The only exception I know of was RAASC where officers wore an enameled version of the OR badge.

The striking on the back of my genuine KC RAR s is similar to yours ie not crisp detail. I don't know of any RAR restrikes but Badgecollector and Slick Mick would know.

Regards
Chris

[badgecollector]

Hi Roy
I don’t believe these were made in bronze and think yours has a lovely patina.
Certainly there were no differences in officers and ORs badges.
Your badge looks like a swan and Hudson?
BC

[Coast Watcher]

There are RAR restrikes available and can be bought in Sydney. They are much thinner and bend very easy.

[wombat]

Thanks for your imput guys. Yes the maker is Swan and Hudson. I've been having a closer look at the badge especialy the "Patina" I'm now wondering if it has been chemicaly toned some how or subjected to some process that has created this lovely bronze colouring. The reverse also shows a few patchy discolouration marks Any way its a great looking badge.

Thanks again for your help
Roy

[badgecollector]

Hi Roy
Here are a couple of mine. The brass version on the left looks a bit bronzish from its patina. I think it’s the composition of the metal used.
The one on the right is in white metal. Not sure why but maybe for the band? Both made by Swan and Hudson
Sorry for the poor pic as they are in a display hanging on the wall
BC

[rhodesianmilitaria]

So was the Royal Australian Regiment brass hat badge - 1953 to 60 also the same one used in the 70's or was there another issue? If there was another issue does anyone have a close up photo of one?
Thanks.

[slick_mick]

I wouldn't be surprised if this badge was worn into the 1970s.

I know of some diggers who wearing a brass 53-60 skippy badge to this present day.

Mick

[rhodesianmilitaria]

Mick,
Thanks for that info.
How hard are the collar badges to find?