20th Hussars - Tent Cap or collar? - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

2747andy · #1 22-10-09, 02:57 PM

Gentlemen,
one for the cavalry experts, is this just a standard ORs collar that has been gilt, an officers gilt collar or was it worn as an Officers Tent Cap Badge? Shown next to an ORs GM Cap Badge (Lambourne & Co Birmingham) for comparison! The smaller badge is very fine and looks almost too good just to be a collar badge?

Thanks in advance for any contributions

cbuehler · #2 22-10-09, 05:19 PM

Looks to be a bog standard OR's collar to me. Not sure about what appears to be remains of gilt wash on the reverse. Normally gilt badges have an all over even appearance on the reverse as well. Could have been gilded at one time I suppose, even by a trooper.
I dont think the 20th wore the tent cap, but not sure about this. I thought only the 8th and 10th wore those.

CB

#3 22-10-09, 05:28 PM

its an officers collar just lost its gilt

peter

Cardiffbloke · #4 22-10-09, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter616

its an officers collar just lost its gilt

peter

Sure is... and it's fire gilt too....

cbuehler · #5 22-10-09, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter616

its an officers collar just lost its gilt

peter

Could well be an officers badge, but I would normally expect to see a flat backed or cast type of badge slightly larger than this.

CB

2747andy · #6 22-10-09, 06:18 PM

Gentlemen,
thanks very much for the replies, more or less confirmed my thoughts!! It's a Fire Gilt 20th Hussars Collar badge, possibly officers (Gilt)! Just had to check, Cavalry are strange folk, who wear all sorts of embellishments (As Howard well knows!!).. thanks always for your informed opinions!

Andy

Deejayuu · #7 22-10-09, 09:08 PM

Andy,
would i have a tent cap badge here maybe? I have put it alongside a regular size KC and QVC badge for comparison. Its not bronze but is a lovely `milk chocolate` colour. Original slider. Badge is 2/3 the size of a standard badge? Any thoughts?

Cheers, Dave

cbuehler · #8 22-10-09, 10:57 PM

Perhaps someone could confirm if indeed the 20th wore the tent cap?

CB

GriffMJ · #9 21-02-10, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbuehler

Perhaps someone could confirm if indeed the 20th wore the tent cap?

CB

Hi

The "Tent Cap" is actually called the "Bonnet de Police"....... it comes from the French Hussars.

Traditionally the turn up would be the colour of the regiments facing edged in the braid colour and the main body the uniform colour. The colour & braid of the busby bag would also be the same. The plain Scarlet Bonnet de Police, of the PAOLYC, makes sense as the Busby bag for the regiment is simple and uncomplicated. Officers of the Queens Royal Hussars still wear an evolution of the "Bonnet de Police" to this day. In the picture below (right) the QRH Brigadier wears the Green and Gold colours of the 8th (Kings Royal Irish) Hussars. Now known more commonly as the "Tent Cap".

The 11th (PAO) Hussars wore a Cherry Red "B de P" with gold Regimental lace. The 20th Hussars would have worn a "Regimental Red" with "Regimental Gold lace" (No cap badge).

Here are Leicestershire Yeomanry Cavalry (PAO) Troopers in their "BdeP's"

Cap badges are not worn on the "Bonnet de Police" as the colour of the cap represents the Regiment itself. "Torins" & Folding Field Service caps, however, did carry the cap badge.

3748 Hussar · #10 21-02-10, 10:10 PM

Hi Andy,

Sorry to say there not officers mate. I will send ya pic on return from the Ivory Coast .
CB is spot on they are flat backed .

Tony C

1stTankie · #11 22-02-10, 05:30 PM

Hi Andy

I think this could be a 20H Officer's collar badge.

I don't think the back has been altered, 20H Officers seemed to like them like that. The other photograph is of the Service Dress bronze variety also with pins.

Best wishes

Gordon

davec2 · #12 22-02-10, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardiffbloke

Sure is... and it's fire gilt too....

Anyone care to enlighten the unknowing re :- Dead Gilt, Fire Gilt and Gilt, I have a couple of Sabretache badges in one of my albums with a distinctive difference in their finishes, one I believe to be ' Fire Gilt ' but what are the other ' Gilt ' finishes ??

Thanks, as usual, in advance !!

Dave.

GriffMJ · #13 23-02-10, 09:32 AM

Hi

REAL or Re-Strike/Fake? (I have had this one for a few years now)

Here are a couple examples of "Stirrup-slips"..... you may or may not know about these..... 5th Dragoons & 20th Hussars.

cbuehler · #14 23-02-10, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stTankie

Hi Andy

I think this could be a 20H Officer's collar badge.

I don't think the back has been altered, 20H Officers seemed to like them like that. The other photograph is of the Service Dress bronze variety also with pins.

Best wishes

Gordon

I believe the brooch back example could be for both a cap or collar, depending upon the intent of the officer who had it.

CB

1stTankie · #15 24-02-10, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbuehler

I believe the brooch back example could be for both a cap or collar, depending upon the intent of the officer who had it.

CB

Hi CB

You could be right however to put the size of this one, which I believe was worn as a collar badge, into perspective I have put up a photograph of a 20H Officer's Cap Badge (which incidentally has blades) together with the collar badge in question and the OSD collars, also with a pin backs. There is a signicant difference in scale. Should you have photograhic evidence of the small gilt one being worn in any kind of headdress I should be delighted.

Best wishes

Gordon