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  #1  
Old 08-01-19, 07:54 PM
Steve27752 Steve27752 is offline
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Default SAAF Cap Badges.

I did not realise that there were so many versions of Cap and Collar Badges, I realise that they were made of brass or copper(?) and some were sand cast.
Is there any way to date them?
Were the shiny brass ones early issue and the darker ones later?


Last edited by Steve27752; 08-01-19 at 10:27 PM.
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  #2  
Old 08-01-19, 08:50 PM
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Bill A Bill A is offline
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Hello Steve, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.
Nice selection of SAAF badges.
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  #3  
Old 08-01-19, 10:28 PM
Steve27752 Steve27752 is offline
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Originally Posted by Bill A View Post
Hello Steve, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.
Nice selection of SAAF badges.
Thank you.
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  #4  
Old 09-01-19, 03:27 AM
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Milmed Milmed is offline
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Just a few notes to get you started.

This pattern SAAF cap badge was worn c.1926 through to c.1959.
Originally in fire gilt for officers and gilding metal for NCO and men.
Darkened metal (Bronzed) adopted c.1938 and worn through the war years to c.1946
(Note: these were worn with the light khaki drill uniform and were not specific to officers like the British OSD badges)
Cast brass and cast lead were WWII issue due to the quick expansion of SAAF and shortage of insignia.
Chromed badges were worn by the air-force band.

There were many manufacturers, so you will find differences in the patterns as well.

Prior to 1926 a similar badge was worn in gilding metal with the only difference been the scroll - "SAAF ZALM"

Steven
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Old 09-01-19, 07:26 AM
Steve27752 Steve27752 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Milmed View Post
Just a few notes to get you started.

This pattern SAAF cap badge was worn c.1926 through to c.1959.
Originally in fire gilt for officers and gilding metal for NCO and men.
Darkened metal (Bronzed) adopted c.1938 and worn through the war years to c.1946
(Note: these were worn with the light khaki drill uniform and were not specific to officers like the British OSD badges)
Cast brass and cast lead were WWII issue due to the quick expansion of SAAF and shortage of insignia.
Chromed badges were worn by the air-force band.

There were many manufacturers, so you will find differences in the patterns as well.

Prior to 1926 a similar badge was worn in gilding metal with the only difference been the scroll - "SAAF ZALM"

Steven
Excellent, thank you for the heads up. I was wondering as I have seen many WW11 pictures of pilots wearing the shiny 'Brass' cap badge as here.
http://biltongbru.wixsite.com/ww2-saaf-heritage

Last edited by Steve27752; 09-01-19 at 07:44 AM.
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  #6  
Old 19-01-19, 06:55 AM
Madziro Madziro is offline
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Default SAAF Cap badges

Some variants for comparison.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg SAAF - ZALM cap badge KC.jpg (60.1 KB, 17 views)
File Type: jpg SAAF cap badge KC gilt.jpg (75.2 KB, 12 views)
File Type: jpg SAAF cap badge KC flat brass.jpg (61.5 KB, 15 views)
File Type: jpg SAAF cap badge KC copper.jpg (55.8 KB, 12 views)
File Type: jpg SAAF cap badge KC black.jpg (61.5 KB, 13 views)
File Type: jpg WAAF cap badge KC.jpg (70.8 KB, 11 views)
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  #7  
Old 19-01-19, 07:02 AM
Madziro Madziro is offline
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Default Order to oxidise SA badges

Attached is the order dated 1938 to oxidise SA badges. It may be of interest. Was doing some research some years ago at the SADF Archives and found it on file there.
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File Type: jpg Order oxidising badges 1.jpg (56.4 KB, 21 views)
File Type: jpg Order oxidising badges 2.jpg (55.6 KB, 19 views)
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  #8  
Old 19-01-19, 09:40 PM
Steve27752 Steve27752 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Madziro View Post
Some variants for comparison.
Thanks for posting the variations, this is a subject that I have been getting more interested. I had not realised how many variations of one item there was.
Thank you for the second post as well.
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