1902-13 RIR CAP BADGE

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Trav

That's a great reply and assists a lot too. Thanks to everyone who's chipped in �� Why were badges blackened? I would assume for some tactical reason, or was there another reason?

Looks like I'll have to keep searching to be exact, but I do like the one I own. I don't think my Gf left anything from that time other than his discharge certificates, which show at that time he was discharged from the R.Ulster Rifles as the RIR had been rebadged. Still, it was the RIR he joined and served under so that, for now, remains the priority. Has anyone been to the museum in Belfast and seen what's on display there?

Yes, the tradition of black insignia relates to an early tactical decision that rifle regiments would wear dark clothing and eschew shiny badges and pipeclay. That style had been adopted from the German foresters who had formed the earliest such units in the British service.

The museum in Belfast has a fine display and is worth visiting.

The Royal Irish Rifles had been unusual in that its 1st Battalion had originally been the County Dublin Regiment and its 2nd Battalion the County Down Regiment, and so had recruited from the two principal cities of Ireland.

[Trav]

Does this look genuine? The type my Grandfather may have worn post 1912? 🙂

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by Trav

Does this look genuine? The type my Grandfather may have worn post 1912? 🙂

It looks expensive! You can get one for far less than £27.99 that one is priced at on eBay. Genuine badge and yes the type worn at that date but easily obtained within the £15-20 bracket.

[Luke H]

No connection to the seller but the badge second from left is genuine and same type. Yours for £14 and you can buy a couple beers with the money you’ve saved https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-...f9e6%7Ciid%3A1

[Trav]

Thanks once again for the speedy response.

I've been examining these in great detail for months. Apart from what's been mentioned here, there are variations in the detailing on the harp box, the scrolling on the top of that box, where the scroll ends attach to that box (relative to the detailing upon it), also upon the crown. Wear and tear can change things I know, but these differences are not as a result of years of use.

Maybe I shouldn't get too hung up on some minor details, but a fine looking example would bring the search to a close 🙂

[Trav]

Originally Posted by Luke H

No connection to the seller but the badge second from left is genuine and same type. Yours for £14 and you can buy a couple beers with the money you’ve saved https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-...f9e6%7Ciid%3A1

Cheers! I saw that earlier, but have bought one even cheaper than that and am awaiting it's delivery. This other one just looked in nice condition, at least to me.

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by Trav

Thanks once again for the speedy response.

I've been examining these in great detail for months. Apart from what's been mentioned here, there are variations in the detailing on the harp box, the scrolling on the top of that box, where the scroll ends attach to that box (relative to the detailing upon it), also upon the crown. Wear and tear can change things I know, but these differences are not as a result of years of use.

Maybe I shouldn't get too hung up on some minor details, but a fine looking example would bring the search to a close 🙂

Glad you have one.

The example you showed a picture of is a nice one but it has been polished and lost detail on the maid’s hair, feathers and base of the crown. Really sharp ones do turn up so pays to wait until you can get exactly what you want.

[jeep]

Interesting thread. Can I please ask for opinions on my five. I've had them for some time, but never quite sure as to authenticity except for the BB one which is a 1970's copy.

1. WM, short voided scroll ends, normal parallel slider no MM.
2. WM, short voided scroll ends, narrow parallel hairpin slider, no MM.
3. BB, short non-voided scroll ends, parallel slider MM JR Gaunt.London. (This is the 15mm 'with a dot' attributed to 1970's repros).
4. WM, short non-voided scroll ends, tapered slider MM 'FN B'Ham'
5. Brass, short non-voided scroll ends, normal parallel slider, no MM

Many thanks in advance.

[Alan O]

The FN Bham one is certainly correct. As is 1 and 2.

3 and 5 are fakes.

[Luke H]

Duplicate post

[Luke H]

The two to the left of the BB badge are good. The FN one is good, they even bothered to pierce the gap between the scroll and the harp on the right - which is often found solid on genuine examples. The one on the far right gets a thumbs down I’m afraid.

[Frank Kelley]

I've always liked the distinctive FN made examples, they don't seem to turn up as often these days as they used to.

Originally Posted by jeep

Interesting thread. Can I please ask for opinions on my five. I've had them for some time, but never quite sure as to authenticity except for the BB one which is a 1970's copy.

1. WM, short voided scroll ends, normal parallel slider no MM.
2. WM, short voided scroll ends, narrow parallel hairpin slider, no MM.
3. BB, short non-voided scroll ends, parallel slider MM JR Gaunt.London. (This is the 15mm 'with a dot' attributed to 1970's repros).
4. WM, short non-voided scroll ends, tapered slider MM 'FN B'Ham'
5. Brass, short non-voided scroll ends, normal parallel slider, no MM

Many thanks in advance.

[mattj12345]

Hello gents
Would appreciate your view on how authentic these two badges are?
Many thanks

[Trav]

So guys, I finally got a photo of my badge! ?

What do you think? RiR? Genuine?

[cbuehler]

Originally Posted by mattj12345

Hello gents
Would appreciate your view on how authentic these two badges are?
Many thanks

Those are two very nice officer badges, one bronze OSD (collar badge) and a Victorian silver plate example.

CB