WW2 Irish Regimental Badges

[sccollins07]

Hello all! I am new to the forum, and I am in possession of three cap badges from Irish regiments: one Royal Ulster Rifles badge and two Royal Irish Fusiliers badges. Having perused the forum, I am fairly confident the RUR badge may be authentic, and one of the two RIF badges is a fake, but I am uncertain about the second RIF badge. I assumed it would be a fake as well, due to the absence of sweat holes, but also saw what may be possibly places they were filled in.

I have attached images of the three badges below in the order above, RUR, fake RIF, and possibly real RIF. I appreciate any advice, thanks!

[Bill A]

Hello sccollins07, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.

[Alan O]

I suspect that the RUR is in fact RIR as the hairpin slider was a sealed pattern which was pre 1922 and regimental re-titling on partition.

The one piece RIF is a nice original with local modification. I would not condemn the other one either.

[Luke H]

The RIFs with the curved brass reinforcing are factory made rather than a local modification. This is apparent by both the professionally brazed attachment and also lack of any traces of loops being fitted to the coronet.

In my belief these are later badges, likely post WW2. To date I have seen badges with this construction marked by Firmin and Dowler. The Dowler made badges lack braze holes whilst the Firmin badges have a more die cast reverse especially apparent behind the flames, with 2 N-S circular braze holes.

[John Mulcahy]

Alan and Luke are spot on in my opinion.

[sccollins07]

Thanks all! That’s very interesting that the badge may be RIR rather than RUR. Clearly I have a lot to learn, glad to be part of this forum! What indications on the two piece RIF badge might indicate it could be authentic? I assumed that lack of sweat holes was essentially an immediate condemnation.

[Alan O]

Sweat holes were often absent for some makers and especially in the 1940s and 50s.

[cbuehler]

Originally Posted by Luke H

The RIFs with the curved brass reinforcing are factory made rather than a local modification. This is apparent by both the professionally brazed attachment and also lack of any traces of loops being fitted to the coronet.

In my belief these are later badges, likely post WW2. To date I have seen badges with this construction marked by Firmin and Dowler. The Dowler made badges lack braze holes whilst the Firmin badges have a more die cast reverse especially apparent behind the flames, with 2 N-S circular braze holes.

Curious that these may be post ww2 badges with that style of construction.
Any further clarification on this matter?

CB