2RRR Anti Tank Platoon

[Phil2M]

I am assuming that a trenchart/presentation shell casing engraved "2RRR Anti Tank Platoon" is from the 2nd Battalion Royal Rhodesian Regt. Would I be correct?

The badge has been pulled off, leaving two small holes. I would like to restore it. What would be the correct badge for the above unit?

Thanks in Advance,

Phil

[ianh67military]

A picture would be a good idea.
Is the shell a World War 2 version? If so the cap badge would be a standard Kings Crown (pre 53) Royal Rhodesia Regt cap badge, in black, usually with red centre backing. Possibly a Queens Crown version 53-65.
If a post UDI version it would be larger, anodised aluminium but still black, with a Lion and Tusk on the top. Not sure they had an Anti Tank sub unit by then though (and it wouldn't read RRR, but rather RR)
Alternatively it could even be a brass or anodised "AT" ? Usually worn on tropical dress khaki uniforms prior to the UDI dress greens

Ian H

[Phil2M]

Thanks Ian. I can't see any date marks on the base. I'll upload some pictures later.

[Phil2M]

As promised.

I have found a very very faint date mark for 1943. It doesnt show up in my photos.

[ianh67military]

It's a 6 Pounder Anti Tank gun shell case. Replaced the 2 Pounder very early on in the Second World War. Used throughout WW2. Replaced by the 17 Pounder and a series of increasingly lethal anti tank bazookas, rocket launchers and recoil-less rifles.
From Google:

Ordnance QF 6-pounder 7 cwt
Type: Anti-tank gun & Tank gun
Place of origin United Kingdom
Service history:
In service 1942–1960
Used by British Empire

Wars;
World War II
Korean War
1956 Suez War
Nigerian Civil War

Production history
Designed 1940
Produced 1941–1945
Specifications
Weight 2,520 lb (1,140 kg)
Barrel length Mk II, III: 8 ft 4 in (2.54 m) 43 calibres
Mk IV, V and M1: 50 calibres
Width 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)[1]
Height 4 ft 2 in (1.28 m)[1]
Crew 6
Shell Fixed QF 57×441 mm. R[1]
Calibre 2.24 in (57 mm)
Breech Vertical sliding-block[1]
Recoil Hydro-pneumatic[1]
Carriage Split trail
Elevation -5° to +15°
Traverse 90°
Rate of fire 15 rpm[1]
Muzzle velocity See ammunition table
Effective firing range 1,650 yd (1,510 m)
Maximum firing range 5,000 yd (4,600 m)
Sights No.22c

The Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt, or just 6 pounder, was a British 57 mm gun, serving as a primary anti-tank gun of the British Army during World War II, as well as the main armament for a number of armoured fighting vehicles.

Although planned before the start of the war, it did not reach service until the North African Campaign in April 1942. There it replaced the 2 pounder in the anti-tank role, allowing the 25 pounder gun-howitzer to revert to its intended artillery role.

I don't profess to be an expert, just an enthusiastic amateur, but I'd wager the Kings Crown pattern Royal Rhodesia Regiment cap badge in blackened brass is the main contender. The 6 Pounder was definitely issued to Infantry Battalions as their AT weapon.

Ian H

[Phil2M]

Wow Thank you Ian. I really very much appreciate the information. Now to find a KC RRR cap badge that i can use.

[Fatherofthree]

Phil.

Robbie, (Dead Spartan) has what you are seeking.
Enter Royal Rhodesia on his site, all will be revealed.

Regards

Brian


Further browsing on t'internet shows that both Geoff Newman and Rod Flood have similar offerings.

[Phil2M]

Cheers Brian. I found one on Tels Insignia last night too

[Fatherofthree]

As Yoda would say, "Welcome you are, what you seek is it?

Regards

[Jelly Terror]

Phil,

How, may I ask, are you intending to desecrate attach the badge?

JT

[Phil2M]

I have two plans, JT.

Firstly, I found a cheap badge in SA that has holes drilled in it and the lugs removed already, I am hoping the holes line up, if so i will put small rivets through and then black them up.

Second one is to enlarge the holes in the casing (if necessary) and drop the lugs of the intact badge through. I am hoping only to have to do a minimum of reshaping in that scenario.

It was a bit of a quandary for me. I don't want to damage perfectly good badges that have survived the last 70 years intact.