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  #16  
Old 10-02-10, 05:09 PM
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grey_green_acorn grey_green_acorn is offline
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Dave, I agree with you, a badge worn by a soldier is "genuine" regardless of it being issued or purchased.
By way of more detail, some Officer's badges (but not all) appeared with NSNs as issue items in the COSA for 1984 (and probably a little earlier) but before that and when officers had to purchase their service dress uniforms they were made to measure by the civilian approved tailors and hatters. Gieves and Hawkes, Herbert Johnson etc. The tailor also supplied the badges for the uniform or headdress purchased from various approved manufacturers. Some officer's badges, especially embroidered beret badges, are still not issued and have to be purchased. I think the thing with books like Bloomers with pictures and and not too much text is that they photographed what was available from collections. In this case a KOSB white metal QC cap badge. Memory is fading but I am pretty sure I saw KOSB soldiers wearing such badges in the 70s-90s when I was serving. These large type anodised badges were prone to being scratched and damaged to a metal version was more "soldier proof" and would be worn with pride! So keep your badge!

Last edited by grey_green_acorn; 10-02-10 at 09:37 PM.
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  #17  
Old 10-02-10, 07:08 PM
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Cheers mate,

That's been an answer that I could understand, my badge came from one of the most honest people ( IMO ), that you could meet, I'm more than happy with it and I'm sure it's a ' good un ', at the end of the day, I will always try to collect genuine badges in preference to copies and occasionally, they do get thru' but this one is, I'm sure, well good !!

Dave.
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  #18  
Old 27-05-10, 08:12 PM
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Sorry Guys,

I've only just become aware of this thread.

Are there any outstanding points that need clearing up?

Regards

Chris
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  #19  
Old 27-05-10, 10:46 PM
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Hi Chris,

Basically, I have a white metal EIIR version and an A/A, EIIR version of the KOSB's and I wanted to know if they were both genuine, the wm version came from one of the straightest men you could meet but it's validity was brought into doubt, I think now it has been confirmed as being ' good '.

Obvously, I hope the A/A badge is good too.........

Dave.
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  #20  
Old 28-05-10, 12:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davec2 View Post
Hi Chris,

Basically, I have a white metal EIIR version and an A/A, EIIR version of the KOSB's and I wanted to know if they were both genuine, the wm version came from one of the straightest men you could meet but it's validity was brought into doubt, I think now it has been confirmed as being ' good '.

Obvously, I hope the A/A badge is good too.........

Dave.
Hi Dave,

I can't speak for the WM version as I know nothing about pre A/A badges but the QC A/A badge was officially authorised for issue and I was told by the curator of the KOSB museum at Berwick on Tweed last year that it was most certainly worn.

He was also selling off the very last official issue from the museum for 2 quid a piece complete with split pin.

Might even have some left.

The small A/A badge is a sporran item and he showed me a standard sealed pattern of it so don't go looking for one if your collection is for badges only. I believe some collectors have been paying 40GBP for these items and they are commonly found for under a fiver complete with backing plate and pin.

Regards

Chris
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  #21  
Old 28-05-10, 07:33 AM
2747andy 2747andy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davec2 View Post
Hi Chris,

Basically, I have a white metal EIIR version and an A/A, EIIR version of the KOSB's and I wanted to know if they were both genuine, the wm version came from one of the straightest men you could meet but it's validity was brought into doubt, I think now it has been confirmed as being ' good '.

Obvously, I hope the A/A badge is good too.........

Dave.
Dave,
thanks for the "Honest" tag... I can see the arguement for ony Anodised Aluminium KOSB being "Official" issued badges however, the Wm QC KOSB was certainly worn by members of that Regiment, SO PUT IT BACK IN YOUR COLLECTION - AGAIN!

A good example of private purchase badges being worn for general use is The Welsh Guards. I can speak with confidence that the follow is "FACT"... In the late 1970's, prior to a tour of Northern Ireland the Welsh Guards adopted an embroidered ORs beret badge. It was a PRI item, but individuals had to purchase them as they were not provided by the "Public Purse!". (this is still the case!).

These cloth beret badges have been worn by the Battalion ever since. As for the Forage Cap all ORs wear a Brass Leek, again a PRI item. Anodised badges are still issued to recruits and as replacement items in the Battalion. The odd individual will wear a "Stay bright" badge in the Forage Cap, but in general the Brass Leek is worn.

I was an OR in The Welsh Guards from 1980-2005 and NEVER wore an anodised cap badge!

I've attached a scan of an article I wrote about Welsh Guards Badges for "Crown Imperial" back in 1996 (sorry for the quality of the image, scan was too big to upload).

Andy
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File Type: jpg CIMG3889.jpg (78.0 KB, 22 views)

Last edited by 2747andy; 28-05-10 at 07:42 AM.
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  #22  
Old 28-05-10, 07:35 AM
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Thanks for that Chris,

Your time is appreciated, I do actually collect any Scottish badge or for that matter, any badge ( I'm a bit of a hoarder ) and I've been blown out of the water on a couple of occasions while bidding for a KOSB sporran badge but like most things, I'll get one eventually ??

All the best.

Dave.
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  #23  
Old 28-05-10, 08:18 AM
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I have a small KOSB AA sporan badge, however, I got it from a female in the local ACF in the late 80s, they wore it on a beret as a beret badge.

Bill
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  #24  
Old 28-05-10, 09:12 AM
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Likewise there was a Highlanders officer in 16 Bde on TELIC 1 who wore his sporran badge on his maroon beret. Entirely unofficial and against all dress regs!
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  #25  
Old 28-05-10, 09:47 AM
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Peter Brydon Peter Brydon is offline
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This is exactly what makes the whole subject of military insignia so fascinating, the one off`s,the unofficial items, the badges worn in headgear that were not intended for that use etc etc.

P.B.
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