Manchester white metal badge - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Tinto · #1 01-07-21, 09:32 PM

Hi All,
Comments welcome on this all white metal badge.
Possibly not military.
Thanks,
John

Luke H · #2 01-07-21, 09:45 PM

I like it.
Certainly military.
I’m sure Simon will know for sure but in general such early all WM versions are often attributed as either V.B. / Militia Battalions or ‘walking out’ badges.
Given that the Manchester V.B.‘s have their battalion numbers on them I suspect one of the latter two options.

manchesters · #3 02-07-21, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke H

I like it.
Certainly military.
I’m sure Simon will know for sure but in general such early all WM versions are often attributed as either V.B. / Militia Battalions or ‘walking out’ badges.
Given that the Manchester V.B.‘s have their battalion numbers on them I suspect one of the latter two options.

I agree with Luke.

regards

Tinto · #4 02-07-21, 04:46 PM

Hi Luke, and Simon,
Thanks for the thumbs up.
Cheers, John

Toby Purcell · #5 04-07-21, 03:20 PM

I’m wondering whether the white metal version of the badge might have been favoured by the 2nd Battalion, as it was them that also favoured the Brunswick star badge for their SNCOs. However, that’s just my conjecture and it remains unclear.

manchesters · #6 04-07-21, 03:27 PM

The 2nd Battalion unofficially wore Brunswick Star badges in various forms from 1824 when its predecessor the 96th Regiment of Foot was raised. The practice stopped after WW1.

Starting with Collar badges these were first introduced in 1899 and appear with a 'Flat Topped' Victorian crown & then with a Kings Crown. In the centre of the star is the Sphinx with Battle Honour, 'EGYPT' surrounded by a strap with either, 'THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT' or '2ND BN MANCHESTER REGIMENT' on it. They were at first in silver/silver plate.

However c. 1901/1902 a Brunswick Star Officers OSD cap Badge was produced with Kings Crown along with the collar badges. The cap badge had a pair of blades to the rear, the collars loops. The new cap badges also dropped the 2nd Battalion designation on the strap and simply were named, 'THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT'.

The Kings Crown Cap badges can also be found in a larger, squarer size, both voided and unvoided both in Bronze and silver.

The fact that many were made without the prefix '2nd' is an indication that they were also worn by Officers in other Battalions and indeed from photographs I have seen them worn in Special Reserve Battalions and Territorial Battalions.

They also form the basis for the larger Bandsman Pouch Badge sof the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Regular Battalions.

Frank Kelley · #7 04-07-21, 07:32 PM

A good scarce example, I always think that they are a little easier to find with the long Edwardian slider in white metal, that one is particularly nice with it's original lugs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinto

Hi All,
Comments welcome on this all white metal badge.
Possibly not military.
Thanks,
John

Tinto · #8 04-07-21, 07:59 PM

Thanks for your comments, Toby and Frank.
Also for your explanations of the Brunswick Star badges, Simon.
Regards, John

Toby Purcell · #9 05-07-21, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manchesters

The 2nd Battalion unofficially wore Brunswick Star badges in various forms from 1824 when its predecessor the 96th Regiment of Foot was raised. The practice stopped after WW1.

Starting with Collar badges these were first introduced in 1899 and appear with a 'Flat Topped' Victorian crown & then with a Kings Crown. In the centre of the star is the Sphinx with Battle Honour, 'EGYPT' surrounded by a strap with either, 'THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT' or '2ND BN MANCHESTER REGIMENT' on it. They were at first in silver/silver plate.

However c. 1901/1902 a Brunswick Star Officers OSD cap Badge was produced with Kings Crown along with the collar badges. The cap badge had a pair of blades to the rear, the collars loops. The new cap badges also dropped the 2nd Battalion designation on the strap and simply were named, 'THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT'.

The Kings Crown Cap badges can also be found in a larger, squarer size, both voided and unvoided both in Bronze and silver.

The fact that many were made without the prefix '2nd' is an indication that they were also worn by Officers in other Battalions and indeed from photographs I have seen them worn in Special Reserve Battalions and Territorial Battalions.

They also form the basis for the larger Bandsman Pouch Badge sof the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Regular Battalions.

Thank you Simon, the Brunswick star is something that’s always interested me and it’s useful to have such a comprehensive rundown of its usage.

I have seen several photos where they are worn by the battalion HQ staff sergeants in addition to the officers. I haven’t been able to find them in use on the “round forage cap” of 1880 to 1902 usage and would be grateful for any evidence if they were worn at any time on that particular headdress.

manchesters · #10 05-07-21, 12:45 PM

Toby,

I have only ever seen the Bullion badge worn on those caps. See photo.
I have never seen a metal badge worn, including the comparable style bi-metal badge widely described as a Warrant Officers Cap badge, originating from Gaylor.

It is not a cap badge, not anything to do with Warrant Officers either, and is a 2nd Bn. band pouch badge.

regards

Mike B · #11 05-07-21, 04:09 PM

Please excuse me probably talking out of my hat - a lovely badge and great debate by members - a bit left field given lugs etc but could it be VTC as similar WM Hampshire etc exist?
Probably no mileage in this theory but just floating it for expert opinion.
Mike