RA Officers ? Busby badge

[manchesters]

Originally Posted by kingsley

Why did some wear the the gun variety and others the coat of arms?

Although there are the 2 distinct patterns Norman Litchfield said it had been impossible to fix any date or specific period of use of one against the other.

There are also variations in the flames on both styles of badges with some flames being narrow and some wider.

The Militia Artillery of the same period wore a different and third version, being a Queen Victoria Crown over 3 guns in pale surrounded by a laurel wreath on the bale of the grenade.

A fourth pattern was worn by Irish Militia where by the laurel wreath was replaced by shamrocks.

There are of course several others of Individual Volunteer and Militia units that had their own own unique County versions.

regards

[54Bty]

Royal Artillery Busby.

In the past I have used an old Grenadier Guards Bearskin, Horse hair plume for display.

Marc

Royal Horse Artillery. Busby, 1864-1888 (Officer)

A 12 inch plume of Egret feathers with a ring worn in a socket at the front on the top. Until 1873 the Medical Officer wore a black plume and the Veterinary Officer a red plume in the Busby.

Marc

[Neil s]

I bought this in a general sale at Fakenham 20 years ago not even inside out with the bikes and lawnmowers I think it was with a load of junk out of a
Garage the feathers are a bit tender so it's only been out about four or five times the ferrule looks to be silver
IMG_20220105_194103.jpgIMG_20220105_194151.jpg


This horsehair plume came with the grenade so I assume it's correct
IMG_20210225_195840.jpgIMG_20210225_195854.jpg

[leigh kitchen]

Does the horsehair plume have a wire loop fitting or a square sectioned brass, wooden or aluminium stem or a brass flat bladed stem?
If a loop,it'll be a bearskin plume,
The white horsehair plume I have fitted to a pre WWI RHA busby has a square sectioned aluminium stem, I would think it's of far more recent manufacture than the busby which should have a brass stemmed plume?
I don't know if the plumes worn with the RA grenade plume holders would have squared or flat stems.

[Neil s]

It's square exactly the same as the feather one looks like black plastic but I think it's Horn

[manchesters]

In Victorian times such plastic looking things are often baleen. Regards

[Artynut]

Mark, I’ve sent you a PM. Regards, D.J.

[kingsley]

Thanks Simon for the info, I have seen variations in the style of flames, but never QVC over three guns or the shamrocks. I would be interested to see a photo of these in anyone has them.