42nd

[Advsmt]

Very nice Ron. They certainly look like they've "been there". If only they could talk.

Thanks

Bryan

[rmarsden]

1st Bn Black Watch cast pipers brooch with applied silver numerals.
India 1890s.

[rmarsden]

SNCOs 1st Bn glengarry badge 1936-52.
No frills example in white metal and gilding metal. One piece die-struck star with even hobnails, nickel cotter pin holding overlay, white metal numerals polished.
Bryan, see posts 30 & 31.
Ron.

[Advsmt]

Very, very nice badge Ron. You can never see enough BW badges! I've moved on to Gordon badges for a bit. Still making my mind up about a 93rd Cape of Good Hope glengarry and a 92nd glengarry - even more of a mine field than BW badges. Though still tracing relatives through the early Forfarshire VRC, always hoping you might turn up a new badge there? But maybe buttons are a more realistic possibility?

Bryan

[rmarsden]

2nd/42nd (Reserve Battalion) ORs pewter feather bonnet badge 1842-50.

[rmarsden]

1st/42nd pewter bonnet badge worn by battalion coys circa 1840s.
Ex Arthur Strutt.

[Jeff Mc William]

Two rare and beautiful pieces. Thanks for sharing Ron.

[rmarsden]

Early 19th C. copper alloy plaque. Two holes where it was nailed to a door or box? Notice the hair covering the body of the Sphinx, unlike any of my other bonnet badges. You can see the ghost image where St. Andrew has been removed from the back of the Sphinx. This indicates to me that whatever it was fixed on belonged to the Regiment and not a particular company.

[rmarsden]

42nd bonnet badge circa 1870s.
Silver plated example, though much worn. Leather backing plate with pinked edges.

[rmarsden]

Check the progression of the busom's on the last four badges!
Ron.

[rmarsden]

Same pattern as last, but with old laquer staining.

[rmarsden]

This pattern with St. Andrew's head under the letter R and a more circular shape.

[jf42]

What would be the best way to describe the object under St Andrew's feet, apparently draped over the Sphinx's back?

[rmarsden]

It started off as a draped chemise for modesty in post 51.
Becomes much more prominent in post 53.
Disappears in post 54.
Then turns into a saddle cloth in post 57.
Ron.

[jf42]

Thanks, Ron. I hadn't noticed that nod to modesty.

This article is worth tracking down:

‘A Badge for Egypt’ Carman
JSAHR Autumn 2001 Vol 79 Number 319



The 'Egyptian badge' was first referred to in Regulation relative to the cloathing & half-mounting of the Infantry and to the Inspection of the Cloathing of the Army General War Office 20th May 1801

(Subject of another Carman article) and authorised by the Adjutant General, Harry Calvert, At Horse Guards 6th July 1802

... to be in future assumed and worn on the colours of the several regiments which served in the late campaign in Egypt, as a distinguishing mark of His Majesty’s Approbation and as a lasting memorial of the glory acquired to His Majesty’s Arms by the zeal, discipline and intrepidity of his troops in that arduous and important campaign.”

Calman doesn't mention the chemise evolving into a saddle cloth.
He does note that as late as 1934, the Honours and Distinctions Committee of Army had to clariy that, in general terms, there were two forms of Sphinx:

Egyptian Sphinx: Male. Bearded with tail lying on its back
Roman/Grecian Sphinx: Female. Large breasted with vertical tail

Has there ever been universal study of the varieties of Sphinx design used by the regiments authorised to wear it in 1802 and how these evolved down the 19th century and later (not just bosoms)?