Royal Regiment of Fusiliers cast AA oddity

[grey_green_acorn]

Odd Royal Regiment of Fusiliers cap badge which is in cast anodised aluminium with the St George and Dragon as a separate part attached with a threaded bolt and a hexagonal nut. There are two cast lugs East - West and the badge has been blackened at some point in its life. It came with a cotter pin from a grenade!


Possibly produced by Azam's of Pakistan.

Tim

[leigh kitchen]

Interesting, but unknown to me.

[hagwalther]

Its one of Azam's alright.

No genuine A/A cap badge is cast be it made by open or closed casting.

Regards,

Chris

[akiko]

A/A can be cast?

[grey_green_acorn]

Originally Posted by akiko

A/A can be cast?

Looks like it. Here is a Devon & Dorset example:

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...57&postcount=9

Tim

[leigh kitchen]

I have the Queen's Own Highlanders as a one-piece, looks like the same manufacturer.

[akiko]

Yes apparently it can but I read this as well.

"Yes, it can be anodized, but it is very difficult and the defect rate is very high because die-cast aluminium defect is enlarged after it is anodized."

[grey_green_acorn]

Interesting thing about the RRF badge is that it was blackened and probably acquired and worn by a soldier in preference to the various black plastic ‘operational’ RRF badges with the forehead scarring ‘prongs’.
Adds to the debate on having fake versus only issue items in a collection?

Tim

[leigh kitchen]

I can only speak for practise within the 1st Bn during the 70's but there's a possibility the badge was bought because of the difficulties caused by "losing" or damaging one of the two badges that you were issued.
You needed a badge, you had to report it for dealing with at the next deficiencies and exchanges parade (you couldn't just bimble into the stores and purchase or be issued one, you were marched down as a Company on the appointed date and time. I was amazed during '79 when I could actually stroll into the Stores of RM, 1 Staffs and RGJ and hand over coins for badges and kit.
You were missing a badge or other kit and you didn't report it, it was discovered during one of the many kit / locker inspections - you're in trouble.
You had an extra cap badge or pair of socks or whatever - you're in trouble.

It could be that a Fusilier bought this "replica' badge to paint and wear in NI as it was less likely to be spotted as "different" under a layer of black paint, it was more likely that you'd get away with wearing a non issue it in NI and you wouldn't get done for unauthorised possession of one cap badge more than you were issued.

(A member of the forum has said that he used to wear a black painted WWI economy brass RWF badge in NI.

[Mike_2817]

During my early time in the army (RAOC) you could go to the QM's every Tuesday evening after tea for kit deficiencies and exchanges , and you signed for it on 'repayment' from next months wages. but woh betide someone who tried to buy to much kit as questions were then asked by the Q... most of us had an extra beret and badge for Wednesday RSM's parade where if your company was picked for inspection (or detailed attention) orders for exchange or pay for kit damages were common place. The camp barber did good business on Tuesdays LoL

In the late 60's & early 70's if you had surplus kit, you needed to support ownership with a receipt from somewhere! as at Bicester most of us had access to millions of pounds worth of uniform kit.

In BAOR (Germany) it was common to have duplicate kit for packing into 'Active Edge' webbing, and ownership of a 3rd pair of boots for best was also common place in the Ordnance at least.