7 replies to this topic

[blueman]

can someone id badge please

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[Odulf]

South Africa, The Royal Natal Carabineers

[Mervyn Mitton]

Yes , Odulf has the right Regt.  They ceased to be 'Royal' after 1964 when Sth. Africa left the Commonwealth.
They still exist and for many years there has been a dispute as to whether they are S.A.'s oldest Regt.. However, a number of early units
claim this distinction.
They are based in Pietermaritzburg - the capital of Natal.

[blueman]

thanx for info ,were they around during boar war ? as the badge came off a spiked helmet unfotunatly helmet was a write off but spike and badge good....kev

[Mervyn Mitton]

Kev - to give you a little more info.  The Regiment was formed in 1855  -  so they were certainly fighting in the
Boer War.  However, you will note that the Crown is either Edward 7th. or. King George 5th..   They began to wear
white helmets from 1894  -  but, with the Crown it would seem more likely that your helmet dates to between the wars.

I have been waiting for you to ask the value  -  Rands 150 - 200 ( pounds 15-20).   Please measure the height and send
another picture with the reverse  -  this doesn't look big enough for the helmet.

[Arthur R]

The title 'Royal' was granted to the Carbineers to mark King George V's silver jubilee in 1935, so this badge would date from between 1935 and 1964.

[Brett Hendey]

My avatar is a Natal Carbineers helmet badge with a Queen's crown (i.e. Victorian) and it is of the type worn during the Boer War, but only on formal occasions.  The Carbineers on active service wore soft hats with the left side turned up and attached to the crown with a smaller cap badge similar to the one in post #1, but without the "Royal" and with a slightly off-set Queen's Crown, which was replaced by a King's crown after Victoria's death.

Brett

[Mervyn Mitton]

Sorry Brett, I meant to refer Kev to your Avatar . Brett's helmet plate is much bigger and more spread.
(and worth a lot more !)