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  #1  
Old 23-12-18, 06:57 AM
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Default St.Blaize Rifles

Hi, I found this badge recently and was surprised to find that it was actually South African. A very short lived Cape Unit that was only around for a couple of years just before Union. I thought that I would share it as it is unusual. Have a great day. Andrew
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  #2  
Old 23-12-18, 08:40 AM
natal01 natal01 is offline
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Now that is unusual. What do you know about the unit ? Whereabouts in the Cape were they based ?
Regards
Mike
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  #3  
Old 23-12-18, 10:36 AM
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Hi Mike, as far as I can tell they were close to Mossel Bay. Regards Andrew
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  #4  
Old 23-12-18, 12:03 PM
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That's a very nice find, Andrew. Thanks for posting it.

Some additional info about this unit : it was formed on 1 April 1907, under command of Captain William Wright, and disbanded on 31 December 1909. Like other volunteer units which closed in 1908-09, it seems to have been a victim of the defence budget cuts imposed by the Merriman ministry in 1908.

Their dress regulations provided for the following insignia :

Cap badge : Cape Colony coat of arms

Smasher hat badge : 'St Blaize' (curved) over 'Rifles' (horizontal).

Collar badge : St Blaize lighthouse within a circle.
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  #5  
Old 23-12-18, 12:11 PM
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Another one, I've never heard of! well done Andrew

regards, Iain

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Originally Posted by Traist View Post
Hi, I found this badge recently and was surprised to find that it was actually South African. A very short lived Cape Unit that was only around for a couple of years just before Union. I thought that I would share it as it is unusual. Have a great day. Andrew
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  #6  
Old 23-12-18, 12:37 PM
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I am always envious of South African badge collectors as there seems to be no end of small units that produced their own badges of all types in the late Victorian period, which creates a fantastic learning curve in that field of collecting and lots of opportunities.

Another nice badge for your collection Andrew, well done.

regards
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  #7  
Old 23-12-18, 03:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arthur R View Post
That's a very nice find, Andrew. Thanks for posting it.

Some additional info about this unit : it was formed on 1 April 1907, under command of Captain William Wright, and disbanded on 31 December 1909. Like other volunteer units which closed in 1908-09, it seems to have been a victim of the defence budget cuts imposed by the Merriman ministry in 1908.

Their dress regulations provided for the following insignia :

Cap badge : Cape Colony coat of arms

Smasher hat badge : 'St Blaize' (curved) over 'Rifles' (horizontal).

Collar badge : St Blaize lighthouse within a circle.
Thanks Arthur, awesome information. I thought that the badge was a bit big to be a shoulder title. Do you maybe have any pictures? I am now intrigued by the collar badge. I wonder what size coat of arms for the cap badge? Have a great evening. Andrew
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  #8  
Old 23-12-18, 03:46 PM
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Thanks everyone. I am very chuffed to have this badge. Have a great evening. Andrew
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  #9  
Old 23-12-18, 05:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Traist View Post
Do you maybe have any pictures? I am now intrigued by the collar badge. I wonder what size coat of arms for the cap badge?
Hi Andrew

Sorry, I have no pictures. In fact, yours is the first pic I've ever seen of any of this unit's insignia.

Two other items from the dress regs which I overlooked in my earlier post :

Shoulder title : SBR.

Puggaree for smasher hat : jackal skin.
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  #10  
Old 23-12-18, 06:43 PM
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Thanks Arthur, this information is invaluable. Have a great evening. Andrew
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  #11  
Old 24-12-18, 01:28 PM
Alex Rice Alex Rice is offline
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Just show that there are still some gems to be found out there, well done!
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  #12  
Old 24-12-18, 01:56 PM
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Thanks Alex. Enjoy Christmas eve. Andrew
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  #13  
Old 26-12-18, 11:14 PM
shahldm shahldm is offline
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Tx for sharing gr8 find.
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  #14  
Old 27-12-18, 06:02 AM
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Andrew thanks for showing, must be close to unique! Would never have taken this for an SA badge!

Brian
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