White metal Reconnaissance Corps

[Sonofacqms]

The white metal Reconnaissance Corps cap badge which was worn by members of the 49th West Riding Division should IMO be one piece, I have had arguments with dealers who have the two piece variety for sale with them obviously saying the two piece is correct.

What are forum members thoughts on this?

Rob

[Luke H]

You should have won that argument as you were right, they are indeed single piece construction.

I have never seen a two piece badge I would regard as genuine.

[Deejayuu]

To the best of my knowledge the genuine yorks recce badges were adapted in the field by drilling a hole in a standard badge and brazing in a white rose. Most commonly all in white metal but they do existing in other materials. I have a bronze badge with a small white rose pinned to it presumably for an officer. It is also understood that a white xmas tree with brass rose was an NCO`s. All should be on lugs.
Scanner currently dead or i would show examples but i believe they are in one of my albums. Cannot find my link but here is one from AndyC https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...p?albumid=2206

[Sonofacqms]

Luke, I did win the argument, the dealer had the badge when I left his stall, it's amazing how certain people fit stories into the history of a badge just to sell it.

Deejayuu, many thanks for your help, my 49th West Riding Division is on loops, although I have G/M versions on a slider.

Rob

[magpie]

I think someone here has a nice attributed group with a two piece construction but not an overlay type.

[rac1944]

It is a hideously muddy area because two-piece ones are so hard to verify. Someone who has built up a collection, I believe largely directly from veterans, is Car Commander on this forum. His album has several two-piece and he wouldn't put them up without being sure they were correct, if there are three top Recce collector's in the UK, he's in there.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ictureid=12659 and of course crucially
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ictureid=12658

But the two-piece are the exception and the majority will be the single piece construction the regiment had made up, I think early 1944 but not clear on that.
John

[Deejayuu]

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

Luke, I did win the argument, the dealer had the badge when I left his stall, it's amazing how certain people fit stories into the history of a badge just to sell it.

Deejayuu, many thanks for your help, my 49th West Riding Division is on loops, although I have G/M versions on a slider.

Rob

Hi Rob,
there are many, many variations as the guys in the field used what they had to hand. With it being unofficial, no pattern card to work to. Would you be able to post an image of the slidered badge?
Cheers, Dave

[arrestingu]

Hi
I have a white metal version , no rose ? One piece made , with lugs.
Cheers steve

[Sonofacqms]

Dave, as usual my grammar is the problem, my slidered version is G/M without the rose.

Yes, I understand about being unofficial and field repairs etc, but I would still rather have one where the rose was cut in than one with the rose added on top.

Rob

[magpie]

If it's been cut and rose inserted its still a 2 piece badge.

[Sonofacqms]

Originally Posted by magpie

If it's been cut and rose inserted its still a 2 piece badge.

Agreed a two piece badge with the rose spliced in.

Here's one I would be interested in members comments and maybe up for sale if deemed a good badge.

The loops have been slightly squeezed which some collectors did to put them through small holes drilled in wooden boards/frames to display. The rose has been inserted and soldered into the spear shaft and the petals rest right and left on the lightning flashes.

Rob

[3748 Hussar]

Hi All ,

Attached pics of my two part badge in my reconnaissance corp collection .

Always thought this was a good one ��

* This has been my collection and previous collector for 30 odd years

Cheers

[Sonofacqms]

Well, other members thought the same, going around the fairs some 40+ years ago and since many of this type were available from a variety of militaria dealers, all were fairly "new" looking and it took me a long time to find one where the rose was soldered into the "christmas tree".

As to whether the story that roses were taken from York and Lancaster cap badges and soldered into the "christmas tree" may be correct, but I think the majority of those involved are sadly no longer with us, so we have to look at the evidence as to the availability of badges with this type of rose which is soldered into the badge.

RECCE are now included by some into the area of "Special Forces" and I think we all know that this area is a minefield.

Rob

[magpie]

Rob, I must say I don't like the dustbin foot lugs.

[Sonofacqms]

Andy, you don't generally see the bottom of the loops as they are generally covered in braze, however this badge has little braze.

It's a good point though, thanks for your comments.

Rob