72nd Highlanders question

[lettman]

Does anyone know how and when the pictured badge was actually worn? I had assumed it is a pre-1881 headdress badge, but as it doesn't seem to appear in any of the usual references, I'm starting to think it was used in some other way. (It can't be a sporran badge, as the 72nd wore trews rather than the kilt.) Any information appreciated.

[Alex Rice]

Is it perhaps Canadian?

[BCONLEY]

It is not a 72nd Regiment / Seaforth Highlanders of Canada badge, any era.

[lettman]

I seem to remember seeing at least one other example on a dealer's website listing it as a British 72nd Foot badge, but that was a while ago and I can't recall the details. The usual references (K&K, Bloomer, Carman's Glengarry Badges, etc) don't show it, however.

[Advsmt]

The stags head element is often touted as a sporran badge. Churchill quotes this in his collar book. The Seaforth cap badge remained unchanged and in white metal for a considerable time but the sporran badge is seen in several guises, however, the scrolled version seems more prevalent in WW1 photographs. I think the numerals are spurious but I have no proof of this.

Bryan

[cbuehler]

A picture of the reverse might be helpful.

CB

[lettman]

Originally Posted by Advsmt

The stags head element is often touted as a sporran badge. Churchill quotes this in his collar book. The Seaforth cap badge remained unchanged and in white metal for a considerable time but the sporran badge is seen in several guises, however, the scrolled version seems more prevalent in WW1 photographs. I think the numerals are spurious but I have no proof of this.

Bryan

The pictured badge is GM, not WM. The 72nd did not wear sporrans.

[Advsmt]

That is my point. The stagshead is not white metal, so is not a cap badge and as the 72nd did not wear kilts it is probably a post 1881 Seaforth Highlanders sporran badge. I don’t see the numerals going with the stagshead as “a set”.

Bryan

[Advsmt]

I know I may be contradicting myself! But I do know that the 72nd did wear similar to your photo (c.1870). The numerals in-between the antlers. I believe that there were examples in the Snook and Taylor collections. Extremely rare and I have never seen a photograph in wear or from these collections. But I had conversations with Jeff McWilliam on the subject. It was thought that the numerals were collars. Churchill shows these as a linked single piece set, much as other regimental collars of that period.

I’ve probably added to the confusion.

Bryan

[lettman]

Thanks for the additional info, Bryan. The pictured badge came from a friend, now deceased, who collected Scottish militaria. His specialty was the Seaforths and their antecedents (72nd and 78th), and he had some amazing items. He was also very knowledgeable, and could spot a dodgy piece. Unfortunately I never got to speak to him about this particular item, but the fact that he kept it in his collection is enough for me to regard it as a legitimate piece, whatever its period and function. So I very much appreciate your most recent post.