3 artillery badges - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

badgecollector · #1 10-08-15, 08:36 AM

hi all
picked these up today. lovely looking badges but what period were they worn? are they all officers?
why the ring at the top of the natal badge?
these badges are surplus and will be sold or traded
thanks in advance
bc

Alex Rice · #2 10-08-15, 08:59 AM

Hi BC
The 2 KC badges are pre-1961, I think the gilt one is the only officers one. The Lion crested badge is a current Natal Field Artillery badge, 1961 onwards though Brian Conyngham can correct me if my dates are wrong.
The loop on the back of the badge is for when it was used on slouch hats. There was a chain with a hook to hold the brim of the hat up against the crown and the badge was positioned there. Does that make sense

Cheers,
Alex

badgecollector · #3 10-08-15, 09:16 AM

thanks alex
yep the explanation of the loop makes sense. thanks.
the badge you say is current has a kings crown on the canon wheel. whats the significance of that?
the brass natal with the loop is really well made with a separate wheel attached. really nice
cheers
bc

Alex Rice · #4 10-08-15, 09:34 AM

Yes, the slouch hat badge is a nice one, definitely the best of the 3.
The crown on the modern badge was I think just a way of keeping a link to the early colonial history of the regiment, also done this way by the Durban Light Infantry.
Cheers,
Alex

Brian Conyngham · #5 22-08-15, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Hi BC
The 2 KC badges are pre-1961, I think the gilt one is the only officers one. The Lion crested badge is a current Natal Field Artillery badge, 1961 onwards though Brian Conyngham can correct me if my dates are wrong.
The loop on the back of the badge is for when it was used on slouch hats. There was a chain with a hook to hold the brim of the hat up against the crown and the badge was positioned there. Does that make sense

Cheers,
Alex

Hi BC

Alex is right, the early KC NFA badge with slouth hat ring is from the +-1904 to 1910 period. Yes, to keep ties with the British after independence the crown was moved to the wheel. It is however no longer the badge of the current NFA...sadly it has apparently been replaced by an "abortion of a badge" this was the comment by someone "in the know" (no names no pack drill). I have yet to see the new one but was designed by someone in the unit.
It would appear the SAA KC Badge has been gilded which might make it an officers badge.

Brian

badgecollector · #6 22-08-15, 06:30 AM

thanks brian
ive been doing a little research myself and it seems you could have a pretty nice and big collection if you just collected south african artillery badges and the variations. cant believe how many there are.
thanks for your reply
bc

manchesters · #7 22-08-15, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgecollector

thanks brian
ive been doing a little research myself and it seems you could have a pretty nice and big collection if you just collected south african artillery badges and the variations. cant believe how many there are.
thanks for your reply
bc

You are quite right. Here is what you can get, and its nowhere near complete.

regards

Alex Rice · #8 22-08-15, 02:54 PM

It is an huge collecting field, and some of the early (pre-1900) badges are incredibly rare. Even if you had a fortune to spend you're unlikely to complete the collection because they just don't come on the market.

Tony B · #9 25-08-15, 01:08 AM

Nice one badgecollector. I saw these as well and was tempted.

irish · #10 25-08-15, 01:20 AM

Very nice collection Simon, thanks for the pictures

Brian Conyngham · #11 02-09-15, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manchesters

You are quite right. Here is what you can get, and its nowhere near complete.

regards

Simon I see you have fallen hook line and sinker....

so much for just the guns!

Nice, you have some that have eluded me for years.

Brian

Brian Conyngham · #12 02-09-15, 09:31 PM

BC
Here a few of mine, have some more that need mounting but need a new frame.

badgecollector · #13 03-09-15, 06:53 AM

hey brian
mate they look great and so many of them. well done and thanks for sharing them
bc

Brian Conyngham · #14 03-09-15, 08:06 AM

BC

Always a pleasure to help (if I can). Been at it for about 40 odd years, school and college fees allowing. Missing a lot of the older badges but I have never given up hope. Just 2 months back added the scarce Diamond Field Field Artillery badge in a swap deal with a mate.
Really need to re-organise the frames as there is a box of badges that need to be mounted among this lot. Hard work for a rainy day.

Brian

Frank Kelley · #15 20-10-15, 03:58 PM

Certainly not, by any means whatsoever, an artillery collector, but, here is my contribution to this thread, okay, so not rare, notwithstanding, still an antique in the real sense of the word.

One for Brian, perhaps.