Royal Navy badge collecting

[Cleeman]

Hi,

After many years of collecting Regimental badges, I am now embarking on collecting Royal Navy badges. So far I have identified a couple of excellent books by E.C. Coleman, but are there any others that anyone would recommend.

Additionally, if anyone is looking at selling off some of their collections, please let me know.

Many thanks,
Andy

[Alex Rice]

Badges and insignia of the British Armed Services by May, Carmen & Tanner is quite comprehensive.

[Cleeman]

Brilliant. Thank you. A copy is on its way.

Cheers
Andy

[Guzzman]

Hi Andy

Just a word of warning about the May volume. It was published in the early-1970s so it's fifty years old now and there have been a lot of new badges issued since then! In fact the smaller the navy gets the more badges they seem to issue!

Also (and this always upsets those who regard May as infallible and his work as a sort of 'bible') it does contain many errors. I stress that this is not May's fault. It is simply that a lot more research has been undertaken in the last fify years.

But it is still a volume that you will find really useful.

Unlike Army badge collecting, there are actually very few books on naval badges. There are a few books on the history of naval uniform which contain sections on badges but that's about it really.

And it's not much use contacting the National Museum of the Royal Navy or the Imperial War Museum either as they don't seem to know anything! For instance, I contacted them both for information on a Hydrophone Operators badge from the First World War. They told me that such a badge was never issued - despite the fact that I have one attached to a contemporary uniform, my friend has an example, and I have photos of the badge being worn! Many other collectors will tell you similar storys.

Most of us have collected bits of information over the years and amassed a lot of knowledge that we are willing to share with other collectors. So never be afraid to ask questions! I've been collecting RN badges for over thirty years and I still ask questions about things I don't know about.

Good luck

Pete

[Cleeman]

Thank you Pete for the kind information.

The May volume sounds a little like the Kipling & King and Gaylor books on Regimental badges. A great comprehensive guide BUT with the occasional discrepancy. I look forward to receiving it.

I will be certainly using the knowledge and experience on the Forum, so expect to hear from me on a regular basis...!

Thanks again,

Andy

[Alex Rice]

I also have some issues with Coleman's books. He took on a huge task with his books and they are very good references. Where I have a problem is because he has photoshopped many of the badge images. This raises the question of whether the badge actually existed. When it is a rare badge and there 'should be one of this pattern because other departments had one', if there isn't a physical example available to photograph or there aren't old photos of people wearing them, can you say for 100% certain that one was produced.
Other than that, I think any collector of RN badges should have copies of them.
Cheers,
Alex