Coloured Royal Dragoon Guards in a/a

[dubaiguy]

I bought a lot of uninteresting modern new-metal badges from Marlow's auction last week to get hold of this one in a/a. Well I took a chance it was what I thought it was. It's the Royal Dragoon Guards - silver, red and blue OR's badge in a/a. It's AAB24 in Chris Marsh's book

Of course the same badge in new-metal is common as muck, but the coloured a/a one had eluded me for many years. Maybe it was just down to me looking in the wrong places, but I was beginning to think it was all a darn figment of Chris' imagination. Has anybody else found difficulty finding one or do I like my teacher said, need to pay more attention?

Mark

[hagwalther]

Originally Posted by dubaiguy

I bought a lot of uninteresting modern new-metal badges from Marlow's auction last week to get hold of this one in a/a. Well I took a chance it was what I thought it was. It's the Royal Dragoon Guards - silver, red and blue OR's badge in a/a. It's AAB24 in Chris Marsh's book

Of course the same badge in new-metal is common as muck, but the coloured a/a one had eluded me for many years. Maybe it was just down to me looking in the wrong places, but I was beginning to think it was all a darn figment of Chris' imagination. Has anybody else found difficulty finding one or do I like my teacher said, need to pay more attention?

Mark

Hi Mark,

This badge is quite scarce but most collectors have the more modern piece thinking it is A/A. I have known collectors look for years for this item purchasing as many as six examples before they get the A/A piece.

Regards,

Chris

PS Congrats on getting one!

[slick_mick]

Looks like I need one too! Another one to add to my wants list.

Mick

[Alan O]

A scarce badge because the regt were quick to drop a/a badges.

[bess55]

Mark - good work mate, this badge is indeed illusive and took me ages to locate too. I've seen the colouring described as blue and black. In truth mine does look black on the strap. This badge does illustrate well that with anodised alluminium badges, it doesn't have to neccessarily be old to be scarce/rare.

If it makes you feel any better, I reckon we've all bought groups of mediocre just for one diamond in the rough amongst them - you're in good company!

Mine attached for comparison

Regards all

Bess

[dubaiguy]

Thanks for vindicating my mad 30 seconds at auction gents. Bess's, mine and the one in Chris's book all have the partial or faint stamping of the Firmin name.

Hope you find one Mick, but I guess we now know it's a rare(ish) one and not just down to me not finding it.

Thanks
Mark

[Mike H]

These were produced to try to circumvent the Regt going down the s/p and gilt route. The Regt stood their ground and got their way.
I've not heard of the NCOs version being produced with enamel on anodised. Pretty quickly NCOs and Officers were wearing the small ,collar badge in cap and beret.