Michael R

Thank you very much Hugh and Tony for your input and suggestions!!! The badge has me flummoxed and I have had two suggestions as to its authenticity. One saying categorically wrong and one saying the opposite 100% right??? With thanks, regards and best wishes the New Year Michael

Hi, Can anyone out there ID the Div Patch in the photos please? I would also be very interested in your opinions regarding its originality if possible? Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. With thanks, regards and best wishes, Oh and Happy New Michael

Hi, I am inclined to agree with Mr Monahan and would also suggest India. The whole item looks sand cast including the RAF cap badge and if I were to guess at its use, I would suggest that it is possibly an RAF volunteer station band badge either worn on a turban or used as a plaid badge??? Most of the larger RAF bases had volunteer bands etc and would have insignia made up in Station Workshops or in the local markets. If it was on E Bay for sale, I would certainly have a crack at it regardless of what it is. A nice unusual item!! Cheers Michael r

Hi, I would go along with the opinions stated, Italian Army WWII.. Further, I can see no evidence of removal from a tunic or epaulet so would be inclined to think that it was probably liberated from a storage facility. Also, the central disc is usually used to accommodate the regimental number but again, there is no evidence of any insignia ever having been attached! In all, a very nice badge in my opinion. Cheers Michael R

Hi, The brevet is, in my opinion, quite right. A word of caution though. Most RAF issue brevets were carried as stock at 14 MU RAF Carlisle until the seventies so to find a long obsolete brevet in mint condition is far from impossible. Also, for Other Ranks up to and including Warrant Officer, the badges are a free issue item on change of uniform etc. However for Officers, they can be either privately purchased or purchased from RAF stock. This means that theoretically, when privately buying a brevet of any designation, the buyer can purchase from any manufacturer, tailor or collector's shop. So to use quality and condition as criteria for authenticity is quite incorrect. I have seen some very spurious looking brevets worn on both uniform and flying suits etc. Another thing to be borne in mind is that "in theater" insignia will also turn up and some of these items look totally wrong but aren't. Hope this is of interest to you Cheers Michael D