And you thought only the Glos wore a back badge!

[red rags]

A rare feast for the eyes...87th officers bearskin back badge c1827-44 worn on a scarlet backing circle (FM Templer RIrF badge book NAM)

[red rags]

& againback badge 87 2231.jpg

[Jeff Mc William]

Hi rr
Thanks for this post. However, its not that much of a surprise. All of the Grenadier (and Fusilier) regiments had a "back badge" on their bearskin caps in the early days. Sometimes it was just a grenade with a number, or a regimental device. It would be interesting to have a full list, but I do have some, viz ;
Coldstream Gds : Garter Star (in silver, gilt, & enamels)
5th Foot (Grenadiers) small silver star with St.George in gilt (centre)
9th Foot (Grenadiers) : small grenade with Brittania on ball
10th Foot (Grenadiers) : small grenade with large X on ball

there are others but I have not got the details in front of me at present. Anyway, as I have said, it was more or less standard practice, certainly for the Regency period. Regards. Jeff

[jf42]

That's enigmatic. What is the history of this? I am guessing it relates to the 87th POW Irish and their taking the 'cuckoo' at Barrosa, and must date from after 1827 when the 87th were were granted the title of 'Royal Irish Fusiliers.'

But a back badge- has any one told the Glosters/M4 Rifles?

[red rags]

Apart from this example in the Regt museum does any member know of another in a public or private collection. Apart from the Templer book I can find no ref to it, the museum have no paintings of the back of an officer & OR's didn't wear them, but I think that was also the case for the 28th early on, I could be wrong & often am.

[jf42]

Originally Posted by Jeff Mc William

Hi rr
Thanks for this post. However, its not that much of a surprise. All of the Grenadier (and Fusilier) regiments had a "back badge" on their bearskin caps in the early days. Sometimes it was just a grenade with a number, or a regimental device. It would be interesting to have a full list, but I do have some, viz ;
Coldstream Gds : Garter Star (in silver, gilt, & enamels)
5th Foot (Grenadiers) small silver star with St.George in gilt (centre)
9th Foot (Grenadiers) : small grenade with Brittania on ball
10th Foot (Grenadiers) : small grenade with large X on ball

there are others but I have not got the details in front of me at present. Anyway, as I have said, it was more or less standard practice, certainly for the Regency period. Regards. Jeff

Ah, so was this an insignia for the back patch on the bearskin, the vestigial remnant of the original bag of the grenadier/fusilier cap- (known as the "monkey's arse" by Napoleon's men)?

This must have been shortly before the patch was done away with and the entire cap enclosed with fur, as we see today.

[Jeff Mc William]

Not necessarily, metal front and back badges were worn on the fur cap since about 1768 and were changed periodically with the change in style of the cap. They were worn well into the 1830's as shown in this print from Cannon's history of the 5th Fusiliers.
If I can find some more examples, I will post them on if people are interested. All the best. Jeff

5F R&F 1835.jpg

[Peter Brydon]

Jeff,

Keep them coming. The attached is from an archive I have on the 8th Foot which was put together by Philip Hoyer.

There are many illustrations in the archive but many don't have captions.

I presume this shows the front and rear of the head dress worn by Grenadiers of the 8th Foot circa 1827, the rear having the white horse of Hanover with a grenade below with a figure 8 on it.

Peter

[Phillip Herring]

Originally Posted by red rags

A rare feast for the eyes...87th officers bearskin back badge c1827-44 worn on a scarlet backing circle (FM Templer RIrF badge book NAM)

Do you have any details on the book you are referring to?

Phil

[49lassiepen]

Back badge still worn by R.S.D.G
David

[jf42]

Would that on the bearskin worn by the drum major and bandsmen?

[49lassiepen]

yes I think there is an example on my boards in my album

[jf42]

Originally Posted by 49lassiepen

yes I think there is an example on my boards in my album

Thanks, I'll have a look.

The thought occurrs to me: did any fusiliers, or indeed grenadiers of the standard foot regiments, ever wear a similar back badge on their infantry caps/shakos, in the period after 1800 when the bearskin was retained only for review occasions?

[Jeff Mc William]

Originally Posted by jf42

The thought occurrs to me: did any fusiliers, or indeed grenadiers of the standard foot regiments, ever wear a similar back badge on their infantry caps/shakos, in the period after 1800 when the bearskin was retained only for review occasions?

jf I think the short answer to that is "no".

[Jeff Mc William]

As requested ; A selection of 1768 to c.1802 grenadier/fusilier back badges. I will try and "dig out" some other (later) variations for my next post. Regards. Jeff


4F c.1768 Hawkes.jpg 9F c.1768 Hawkes.jpg 21F c.1768 Hawkes.jpg 28F c.1768 BTAG notes.jpg 97H c.1768 NAM.jpg

NB: The front plate was the standard universal pattern for 1768 to 1802.