Reference material?

[PeterB]

I've got John Gaylor's book "Military Badge Collecting" but I've seen some dealer sites and eBay listings have a "KK" number in the description, does this refer to a reference guide? What other books or guides do people have and find useful?

[CB101]

Hi Peter
I’m not a badge collector myself so I can’t give you any advice re the best books to buy but the KK reference is Kipling and King
These were purchased as a two volume set and are packed with illustrations and descriptive text
Hopefully this helps a bit!

[PeterB]

Originally Posted by CB101

Hopefully this helps a bit!

Indeed, thanks muchly! :^)

[ajc347]

Kipling and King have been reprinted and are available from the current publisher here:

https://www.naval-military-press.com...l-2-1919-1979/

The books section of the forum has listing for a number of other volumes as well:

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/bo...bliography.htm

[KLR]

It depends what badges you want to collect - for example, all the infantry, cavalry etc, or your local regiment, officer's or ORs.
The War Office (now Min of Defence) authorised the design and production of badges for a new pattern. As Alan said - they could have a long life, or a short life.


Gaylor has a number of innacuracies, K&K has a better spread but still, there are umpteen variations. If you really want to look up every badge go to our National Archives.

I can give you dates of specific infy badges (I don't have info on cavalry, etc.)


good luck, enjoy

[Wooffy]

Also worth remembering that there are some excellent resources available online, like this: http://www.petergh.f2s.com/flashes.html

Similarly - it is always worth looking through members' albums here, they are an invaluable reference source

[49lassiepen]

Tels Insignia has both volumes 1 & 2 K .K for sale Before spending your money on other badges purchase some ref books /look at items on the forum/do some proper research Otherwise you will end up with a nice collection of fakes Still learning after 46 years ,the forum as stated has many knowledgeable collectors
Just seen one of your earlier posts started '' collecting in 70's and stopped in 90's ''Surprised in the 20 years you never came across K.K
If you insert Books in albums sappers 533 ref books will appear

[Deejayuu]

K&K vols 1 & 2 on ebay @ £45 + £8.50 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265307224...cAAOSwruRhOylC
i have no connection to the seller. These are used but a real bargain. Just checked New price on Amazon vol 1 £65, vol 2 £45 + postage though currently there is a small discount being offered.

[PeterB]

Originally Posted by 49lassiepen

Just seen one of your earlier posts started '' collecting in 70's and stopped in 90's ''Surprised in the 20 years you never came across K.K

Thanks to Dad's job I spent 1973 to 1996 living outside the UK, only trips back here were for 2 weeks in the Summer holidays every year, so a lot of things going on here in that time that I never came across!

[PeterB]

Originally Posted by Deejayuu

K&K vols 1 & 2 on ebay @ £45 + £8.50 These are used but a real bargain.

Thanks, absolutely brilliant! Have just made use of "Buy it now" :^) I read that it's better to go for the older copies as the illustrated plates are clearer than the more recent reprints, so these fit the bill prefectly.