50/60s SADF Kommando tunic

[richardtl]

Here is something interesting
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ps4at3rqup.jpg

I'm sure everyone has seen the SADF Kommando (Citizen force similar to the Brit TA) badges, early ones in Brass and on an officers tunic. However look carefully at the buttons.

[Alex Rice]

Hi Richard
Yes, I have a couple of those buttons in my collection but I doubt if they were widely used as they don't seem to come up all that often.
Cheers,
Alex

[richardtl]

Alex, yes they are rather scarce. I also have a few loose ones kicking around including a blackened one.

[milhistry]

I have a Skiet Kommando tunic from the 1950s with the same buttons. They would only have been worn until the "Buttons, Universal" (i.e. leaping springbok) buttons were introduced from 1958 onwards. I would guess the cahp who wore your jacket didn't replace the buttons and only changed the collar badges when the "Unitas" badges came out.

[richardtl]

Originally Posted by milhistry

I have a Skiet Kommando tunic from the 1950s with the same buttons. They would only have been worn until the "Buttons, Universal" (i.e. leaping springbok) buttons were introduced from 1958 onwards. I would guess the cahp who wore your jacket didn't replace the buttons and only changed the collar badges when the "Unitas" badges came out.

This leads me onto another question, what year did they introduce the Skietpiet collar badges come out?

Also weren't the older badges fitted with loops rather than pins. I have a set of SA's and pips with loops.

[milhistry]

The Skiet Piet with "Skiet Kommando" from 1948 to 1958 when the "Unitas" version came out. Then after 1974 the "Unitas" badges were chrome ratger than gilt or gilding metal.

I also have a variety of SA titles. Narrow type with lugs/loops, narrow type with pins and the squarer type with pins.

[Milmed]

Originally Posted by milhistry

The Skiet Piet with "Skiet Kommando" from 1948 to 1958 when the "Unitas" version came out. Then after 1974 the "Unitas" badges were chrome ratger than gilt or gilding metal.

I also have a variety of SA titles. Narrow type with lugs/loops, narrow type with pins and the squarer type with pins.

Are we sure on these dates as I have 'Skiet Kommando' as 54-63 and 'Unitas' pst '63

[milhistry]

Can't say I'm 100% sure. The dates I provided above were taken from the new Commando Insignia book that came out last year. The dates you have are the same as Owen's book but then Owen also misidentifies the commando badges altogether... Perhaps someone else can shed some light on it for us?