RNF OSD Officers Cap Badge.

[thursdaychris]

Hello Chaps,

I have searched high and low for any evidence that this badge is, or ever has been, available to collectors. Many dealers websites show badges that they have long since sold, and at times I have found such images very useful. However, I have searched all of these and everything else, badge related, that I can find on line, and I can't find any sign of the RNF OSD badge, anywhere!

I have only ever seen one image of this badge, so it does actually exist, but I'm starting to wonder if the example that member "Neil s" has in his album is the only one that there is! Does anyone else have one, and if so, could you please post a picture of it, and tell me where you found it, this is the RNF OSD bronze badge with Quo fata vocant, as shown below?

[thursdaychris]

The pre 1935 NF silver/gilt cap badges seem to be a bit thin on the ground as well, but unlike the post 1935 OSD, you can at least see where they've been! I've attached images of a couple that Mike (QMS) and Geoff Newman have sold in recent times. I have seen two of these badges that are currently available, but unfortunately, these have either been brooched or look a bit fishy to me, broken wires are not a good sign, methinks.

[3dg]

Originally Posted by thursdaychris

Hello Chaps,

I have searched high and low for any evidence that this badge is, or ever has been, available to collectors. Many dealers websites show badges that they have long since sold, and at times I have found such images very useful. However, I have searched all of these and everything else, badge related, that I can find on line, and I can't find any sign of the RNF OSD badge, anywhere!

I have only ever seen one image of this badge, so it does actually exist, but I'm starting to wonder if the example that member "Neil s" has in his album is the only one that there is! Does anyone else have one, and if so, could you please post a picture of it, and tell me where you found it, this is the RNF OSD bronze badge with Quo fata vocant, as shown below?

Hello
The book by Denis Wood, The Fifth Fusiliers and it's badges has an example of this badge.
Number 177.
1936-1959. Officers. A similar grenade to 176 (the sil/gilt one) but all in bronze, 44 X 27 mm
Worn on the FS cap and Khaki beret?

The note below states...

The sealed pattern in the NAM, describing the specimen as "Service dress cap and collar badge", is numbered 54/Infy/7307 but undated, "Obsolescent" has been added on the card by another hand, but again undated. These bronze grenades wore probably used only during WW2 , and perhaps largely or only by Officers of affiliated Home Guard or cadet units.
Hope this helps

Chris

[3dg]

Bronze RNF

[thursdaychris]

Many thanks Chris, I've found that OSD badges for just about all KC infantry regiments are fairly easily to locate, and usually reasonably priced. The RNF version seems to be the one exception, the limited issue suggested in your note may well explain this.

[cbuehler]

Bronze examples do seem to be quite rare. I can only surmise that the silver/gilt type were worn instead?

CB

[3dg]

Originally Posted by cbuehler

Bronze examples do seem to be quite rare. I can only surmise that the silver/gilt type were worn instead?

CB

Hi CB

Yes, silver and gilt ones were worn.

Chris

[Cleeman]

Hi,

I have the attached in my collection. Officers OSD cap badge and matching collars. One collar has unfortunately been converted to a brooch pin fitting, but is still in excellent condition. Both collars are by Gaunt.
Hope this helps your search.
Andy

[Cleeman]

Deleted

[Cleeman]

Hi,

Also got this one as well, by Gaunt.

Andy

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by Cleeman

Hi,

Also got this one as well, by Gaunt.

Andy

A special badge.

I’ve taken the liberty of rotating the photo and brightening the image.

[thursdaychris]

Hello Andy, How's it going, I just happened to receive a nice pair of Munster collar dogs from Duncan, your local dealer, this morning. Anyhow, although they are excellent badges that you have shown us, they are the pre 1935 versions, of course. The OSD badge that seems to be virtually unobtainable is post I935, after the Regiment became Royal. It has Quo fata vocant on the circlet instead of Northumberland Fusiliers.

[Cleeman]

Hi,

Lol, sorry totally misread your original message. I must admit I never obtained a post 1935 RNF OSD.

Good to hear Duncan is still churning the badges out. I must catch up with him sometime, as I have a few swaps...! Sad to read another local dealer has sadly passed away, Paul Sargent. A lovely guy.

All the best,

Andy

[thursdaychris]

Yes, I hadn't thought, Paul was based in Immingham, just up the road from you, his niece is going to run things from now on, I believe. Anyhow, getting back to Quo fata vocant, another little snippet that I've recently come across, is that the 1st V.B. NF, had this on their badge between 1895-1902. One of those might make a better gapfiller than what I've got at the moment, and it's starting to look like I'm just as likely to find one of them!

[3dg]

Originally Posted by thursdaychris

Yes, I hadn't thought, Paul was based in Immingham, just up the road from you, his niece is going to run things from now on, I believe. Anyhow, getting back to Quo fata vocant, another little snippet that I've recently come across, is that the 1st V.B. NF, had this on their badge between 1895-1902. One of those might make a better gapfiller than what I've got at the moment, and it's starting to look like I'm just as likely to find one of them!

That's a 1st NF Vols FS cap badge, OR's blackened brass, same size as a collar badge, but St George right way up, these are quite hard to get hold of.
Chris