Cut-away badges

[Sonofacqms]

Taff, do you have an example of a Suffolk with the "Gibraltar" cut away?
I don't think I've seen one,

Rob

[chief_chum]

Rob,

I don't have one yet but I know a few people who do, including Foz who works for us. I will ask him to photograph it and I will post a picture.

Foz bought his from eBay. No one (including me) had spotted that there was anything unusual about it and, from memory, it cost him the price of a standard badge. I must admit, with all the fake scrap metal on eBay, it is easy to miss the few gems that do turn up if you are not extremely vigilant.

A while ago I was contacted by a chap who had a Suffolk Yeomanry cap badge with ROYAL Suffolk Hussars on the scroll instead of LOYAL. I couldn't tell him anything about it other than suggest that it was a manufacturing error.

I have been looking for one ever since and, again, Foz spotted - and bought - one on eBay last week. I need to pay more attention!

Taff

[Sonofacqms]

Taff, on numerous occasions I have seen the local press refer to "The Royal Suffolk Regt", this I put down to journalistic licence, however, I now know that they may have possibly seen one of these badges . . !

Seriously, having spent years in the print trade I know mistakes happen, I will definitely have to look closer at Suffolk badges.

Rob

[chief_chum]

Hi Rob,

Sorry for the delay. Foz let me have this today.

The flash makes it look clean and shiny but, in my hands, I have no doubt that it is a genuine badge.

Best wishes,

Taff

[chief_chum]

Another friend thinks he may have a portrait photograph showing a Suffolk VTC man wearing one. If he lets me have a copy I will add it to the thread.

[Nozzer]

I spotted this one on ebay, but didn't bring it up in case anyone was after it It is the same as Ivan's badge minus the pin and looks to be quite neatly done.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-MI...vip=true&rt=nc

[Sonofacqms]

Taff, there is no doubt to me that this badge is an original, neatly cut away Gibraltar. I'm sure these were worn by VTC members until there own particular designed badges were available.

A photo of it being worn would be great.

Rob

[Luke H]

An interesting thread, does anyone have the original bulletin article?

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by chief_chum

Hi Rob,

Sorry for the delay. Foz let me have this today.

The flash makes it look clean and shiny but, in my hands, I have no doubt that it is a genuine badge.

Best wishes,

Taff

Undoubtedly a genuine badge. From the quality alone I suspect an early badge so my money would be on Volunteer period. Reminds me somewhat of the 3rd V.B. badge also lacking the ‘Insignia’ scroll.

[Alan O]

The absence of the Gibraltar battlehonour would suggest it was worn by a unit not entitled to it so the options are:

1. Pre 1908 militia. Pros the lug and brasing holes are early. Cons I am not sure just how widespread bespoke militia badges were.

2. Pre 1908 VB - Pros the construction is of that era. Cons - Numbered VB badges are known as shown by the 3rd Bn badge.

3. 1915 VTC - Pros: they were not allowed the regular pattern badges.
Cons - most VTC went for a totally bespoke design.

4. 1918 VBs. Pros: VBs were authorised to wear the regular pattern badges without battlehonours. Cons Very few seem to have done this and many wore the old VTC or GS Coat of Arms badges right up to disbandment. The lugs and construction are quality pre-war standard.

Just my thoughts.

Alan

[Alan O]

Courtesy of Cultman Collectables the 2VB with the Gibraltar honour.

and again 2VB badges with the honour https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/...folk-regiment/

[Alan O]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW1-soldi...e/154064770768

The V's on the officers collars suggest 1918 to me and if my eye sight does not fail me there are both the Suffolk regiment and large GS coat of arms badges in use.

[Neil s]

Don't know if this helps with dating or not

IMG_20230527_182735.jpg

IMG_20230527_182753.jpg

IMG_20230527_182633.jpg

IMG_20230527_182712.jpg

[Sonofacqms]

The O/R's badge looks about right for the Great War VTC cut away badge, the OSD collar has been "hobbed" which could possibly have been worn by a TF officer.

Thanks for showing.

Rob

[Luke H]

Very sound observations and rationale Alan.

Thank you Neil, yours looks of later construction very possibly WW1 vintage. The short slider makes it post 1906. If the VTC wore these modified badges then yours is a very good candidate I feel.