1st QDG anodised cap badge oddity - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

bess55 · #1 06-03-20, 08:20 PM

This may have been discussed here before but I couldn't find a relevant thread.

I noticed amongst my 1st QDG anodised group that the fully voided FIRMIN LONDON marked example is clearly from a die very different to all other makers or void combinations. In fact, the die used on this cap vadge would appear to be possibly from the original Kings Dragoon Guards.

Attached the example I refer to (left) and a Gaunt example (right) for direct comparison. All others are like the Gaunt example - even other Firmin made examples (with half voids etc). I also have a few maker variations in 'new metal' or chrome and these too are as the Gaunt example.

Any thoughts comments?

grenadierguardsman · #2 06-03-20, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bess55

This may have been discussed here before but I couldn't find a relevant thread.

I noticed amongst my 1st QDG anodised group that the fully voided FIRMIN LONDON marked example is clearly from a die very different to all other makers or void combinations. In fact, the die used on this cap vadge would appear to be possibly from the original Kings Dragoon Guards.

Attached the example I refer to (left) and a Gaunt example (right) for direct comparison. All others are like the Gaunt example - even other Firmin made examples (with half voids etc). I also have a few maker variations in 'new metal' or chrome and these too are as the Gaunt example.

Any thoughts comments?

Thats a nice collection you have there.
Andy

bess55 · #3 06-03-20, 08:51 PM

Thanks mate

Mike H · #4 06-03-20, 09:02 PM

From what I understood was that the non void example was originally meant to be the KDG anodised version . Obviously when they were amalgamated the badge became the QDG 1st issue. The non void example is shown in Kipling and King.

bess55 · #5 07-03-20, 06:59 AM

It would be interesting to see what badge is on a sealed pattern. The 1st the Queens Dragoon Guards anodised cap badge is sealed in 1965 - so the FIRMIN LONDON mark is contemporary for that period.

I have 2 examples ( fully voided) marked FIRMIN LONDON and they have 2 differing dies - the apparent KDG style and the other, which is as all other examples.

I say all other examples because for some reason they vary with voids, half voids and fully non voids - for which there doesnt seem to be any reason ( but have the same basic die)

The obvious variations between the KDG style and all others are:-
Tail feather shape
Wing feather shape
Size of shield
Shape of the strap between wing tip and eagle head.

Does anyone else have the KDG style and know anything about it?

ukbrits · #6 12-03-20, 01:32 AM

Hi Bess,
I think your a/a badge for the QDG badge is very early (circa late 1950's).
The Firmin maker stamp & slider is correct for an early badge and as you say looks more like a K.D.G badge than a Q.D.G.
If I was you I'D hang on to this one as I feel this may well have been an early variant badge to the Q.D.G. If not happy with it sell it to me lol!
Regards
Colin

hagwalther · #7 13-03-20, 02:03 AM

Hi Guys,

One of the standard sealed patterns for the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards is dated 14th April 1959 and marked J.R.GAUNT LONDON.

The badge is solid between the two eagles necks and crown - i.e. is non-voided with the upper half being flat while the lower part is seeded. It has a CB No. of 3004.

Regards,

Chris

bess55 · #8 13-03-20, 02:40 AM

Ok so if the fully voided is the supposedly earliest version marked Gaunt London ( and there is another Firmin London), why are there half voids and what would appear to be the later versions which are fully voided?

Additionally what is the unusual die version ( Firmin London) which is fully voided that I mentioned at the beginning? Which is totally different to all the others?