Ah, the early 80's. The Paras re-taking the Falklands, winning VC's. A plethora of books on their WW2 stories including Arnhem. Three regular Battalions and 3 Territorial Battalions in the Army.
The pathetic staybright issued badges with a slider, that were both constantly breaking and also not secure.
Bearing in mind that ANYTHING was better than the issued badge hundreds of Toms (young enthusiastic paras) created a market gap that was immediately exploited by dozens of manufacturers. Officers were either issued a beautiful frosted silver finish badge, that they were then told to polish until it resembled a staybright badge, or were given a uniform allowance if in the TA and told to buy the badges themselves. MORE sales in the offing.
Walking through Aldershot on Airborne Forces Day it appeared every jewellers was offering a variety of hallmarked badges to silverplate versions.
I still have my nickel silver London Badge and Button Company badge that I bought, now polished so heavily it looks as though it's been sandpapered. My brother, being flash, better paid and regular Para bought a stunning hallmarked one for his beret.
In short then, a non issued private purchase hallmarked silver Parachute Regiment "officers pattern" cap badge. Possibly bought by an ex Para, a drunk Tom or a pennyless Officer (not to mention Walter Mittys or one of those strange 'collectors' that were always looking to get badges off you).
Ian H
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30-09-19, 07:29 AM
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