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#1
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2 Fighting Irish Infantry badges: Royal Irish Rifles and Connaught Rangers
Gentlemen,
Here you will find two badges of Irish infantry regiments: The Royal Irish Rifles and Connaught Rangers. Both are hopefully original badges. If so, can the Royal Irish Rifles be dated? Comments most welcome. Thank you! Cheers, Tom |
#2
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The Royal Irish (Ulster) Rifles Badge is unusual because of the presence of loops "north and south' as a fitment.
Firstly is the badge brass or white-metal? I find it hard to tell from the photos that are uploaded. Is the badge in your possession, is there any sign of it ever being blackened? John |
#3
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Quote:
Thank you for your response. Yes the badge is in my possession. I do not see any signs of it haven been blackened. As to the colour I would say it is golden just a bit more on the yellow side than the golden wedding band on my finger which I guess would make it brass (?). In any case it is a nice looking badge with fine details and shows evidence of having been polished multiple times. Any futher thoughts on this badge would be most appreciatiated. Also what are your thoughts please on the Connaught badge? Thank you. Cheers, Tom |
#4
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That Royal Irish Rifles is indeed strange. Yellow brass. Looks to have brass loops as well.
CB
__________________
"We seldom learn the true want of what we have till it is discovered that we can have no more." Sam. Johnson |
#5
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What I know in relation to Connaught Rangers badges could be written on a leaf from a Shamrock.
However, I do like the badge and believe it to be a a good 'un. As always though, I stand to be corrected. Regards. Brian |
#6
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My 2p worth on the RIR badge is that it may be a wartime maker so the fittings are not standard but made in brass which has been nickel plated, the plating now worn off.
Cheers, Alex |
#7
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The Royal Irish Rifles design you show is pattern 5849/1903. It was sealed in blackened brass and in 1913 the finish was officially changed to white metal and given a new pattern no., 7330/1913.
So perhaps your example has had the blackening removed. In terms of the strike detail it is voided (pierced) where it usually should be (scroll ends) although the rear details are a little weak. But what is most intriguing is the use of loops and their position. Generally speaking pattern 5849/1903 dates from the period when sliders were the specified standard fitment for forage cap badges. A fitment like yours, loops N&S is to be found on officer’s full dress busby badge and pugaree badge, though the badge is superficially similar to 5849 but I don’t think your badge is one of these as the width across the badge at chest level is noticeably different and yours is a gilding metal die-struck badge. One can see that badge in the 1904 DRs and standard pattern cards below (I can’t recall where I got these images and I apologize in advance if I am sharing inappropriately). I have two samples of 5849/1903 in my collection, one has the usual slider and appears perfectly genuine to me but one has loops E&W, this latter one I am not sure what to make of it. The blackening looks quite new (perhaps a re-coating or “renewal’ by a previous owner). Images attached, but not great quality. I would be interested to see what Bobby Rainey has to say about it and if he is not on this forum (I cant recall) I will bring it to his attention off line to see what he makes of it. He is a specialist collector to the regiment. The Connaught Rangers looks good to me. John |
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