Pre 1922 - Royal Irish Regiment Slider re-inforcement

[wright241]

Clarification please.
Unfortunately I have forgotten the picture - but, I have a GM version of the above badge with a a slider. At the back where the slider is brazed to just below the crown, there is what appears to be a re-inforcing piece of round metal that is squared-off to the slider (i.e. an upside down, square "U" shape) - which can only be there to stop the badge/crown breaking off in service. Its hardly visible from the front.
There are no makers marks - thank goodness - and I am perfectly happy with its provenence.
Is this normal for this badge or is it "after-issue improvement". I don't have one anymore but I do not recall seeing this on the QVC version.
I did have another slidered one with no re-inforcing, no makers mark - but non-voided strings and poor finish. Thats gone.
Thanks for your help.
I will try and remember to bring in the photo tomorrow if anyone has problems with my description.

[jeanpit-frenchy]

my royal irish regiment had the sam re-inforcement.....like yours, and it come from my WW1 grand father collection.

[KLR]

Reinforcements like this were specified for RA cap badges in the 1st World War (in WO records). There are quite a few others with the sam,e feature, so I guess they were made at the same time - a period of mass production. As an example, I can tell you that 7,000 RIR badges were ordered in April 1916.
Julian

[wright241]

Originally Posted by jeanpit-frenchy

my royal irish regiment had the sam re-inforcement.....like yours, and it come from my WW1 grand father collection.

J-P,
Thanks mon ami. Its nice to know that it is confirmed as ok. It came from
a fairly reliable source (a NI shop in Ballymena) - but you never can tell.
Thanks, david

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by wright241

Clarification please.
Unfortunately I have forgotten the picture - but, I have a GM version of the above badge with a a slider. At the back where the slider is brazed to just below the crown, there is what appears to be a re-inforcing piece of round metal that is squared-off to the slider (i.e. an upside down, square "U" shape) - which can only be there to stop the badge/crown breaking off in service. Its hardly visible from the front.
There are no makers marks - thank goodness - and I am perfectly happy with its provenence.
Is this normal for this badge or is it "after-issue improvement". I don't have one anymore but I do not recall seeing this on the QVC version.
I did have another slidered one with no re-inforcing, no makers mark - but non-voided strings and poor finish. Thats gone.
Thanks for your help.
I will try and remember to bring in the photo tomorrow if anyone has problems with my description.

Hi David,

Re-inforcing was very common on KC Royal Irish Reg and Connaught Rangers and did not appear on QVC versions of the badge as the stress to the crown-harp adjoining area was caused by the insertion of the slider into the cap whereas QVC badges had lugs and could be easily popped out from the back. These re-inforcings were generally factory done but I have seen examples which have had re-inforcing added later after issue, the re-inforcing seems to have been made out of whatever they had to hand in the factory I've seen copper wire, brass wire and brass strips used.

I have never seen a genuine ORs Connaught Rgrs with a makers mark but genuine Royal Irish Reg badges can be found with SMITH & WRIGHT B'HAM so don't panic if you see the latter

Luke

[ard-ri]

Hello David,

No prob with the strengtheners. They came in varied styles, rings, single piece, double piece. Some done at the manufacturer some done by the regimental armourer. I would say you have a good-un no worries.

Michael

[John Mulcahy]

Here are some photos of a Smith & Wright, Royal Irish Rgt (front & back) that I have in my collection for reference. Strengthener present on the back.