15THPACAV

Is that $300.00 or $ 3,000.00?

Thanks, I was afraid that was the case. I took a gamble, but, at least it only cost me $50.

I picked this badge for the Imperial Russian Dragoon Guards, and I am unsure as to it's authenticity. I realize the photos are not the best, but they are all I have. The badge did not come with a backing plate. Thanks in advance.

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I acquired this group at a recent online auction; it's to Lt.Col. Dennis Daybell, The Life Guards. he was a solicitor in private life, who was commissioned for WWII service. The group came with a nice lot of supporting documents.

I have wanted one of these for some time, and I came upon this one at a online dealer, for a well below "market" price. As is often the case, the washable white cotton top is soiled, but I have advised to leave it alone, which I shall. The cap is also from a rather rare , but authentic, maker.

My experience leads me to believe visor caps for British officers of the old Indian Army are quite scarce, and when I luckily spotted this one half covered at this year's SOS, I was drawn to it. Obviously, a salty cap, that saw much action. Curiously, it was made by a tailor in Madras, a long way from the Punjab! The cap is leather lined on the inside crown; never saw that before.

Perhaps a bandsman's czapka for the 9th/12th Lancers? I believe that awful plate is for the 9th Lancers, but the rest appears to be for the 12th, with scarlet top & plume. It might look fine with a proper 12th Lancers plate, and I could possibly be interested, if you decide to sell.

I picked up these two caps at the recent SOS. A dragoon officer's cap, for either of the two Garde regiments, or the 1st, 5th, or 13th regiments, and an nco's cap for Husaren Regt. von Zieten ( Brandenburgisches) nr.3. The dragoon cap is of very high quality, and has the remains of a gold cypher or monogram attached to the interior.

I just checked Chas. Stadden's book on Royal Marine Uniforms. Both the RMLI & RMA wore the white wolesley helmet just prior to WWI; the RMLI used to wear the typical infantry 1878 pattern home service helmet previously. A close friend of mine has an officer's version, and it's a beauty. The RMA and RMLI amalgamated in 1923. BobS

No, I don't believe that they used any plume whatsoever. I had a RM helmet very similiar to the one shown, with a King's Crown, same as worn today, but with a Queen's Crown. When the Royal Marine Artillery and Royal Marine Light Infantry were amalgamated, around 1922 I believe, the helmet of the RMLI was used, but with a ball device to the spike, as used by the RMA. BobS

That first photo of Gordon Highlander officers, showing a date of August, 1914, cannot be correct; look at the bare trees & foliage in the background. Likely November-December, rather than late summer. The photo of the mounted & dismounted Scottish Rifles officers is well known, and was ostensibly taken around the Battle of Le Cateau. BobS

Yes, unfortunately the Bundeswehr used these incredibly cheap thin vinyl chinstraps on both officer & other ranks dress caps. Don't want any connection to the old Third Reich, doncha know!

I have always found British Regimental side drums, especially the old rope tension versions, to be quite attractive, and interesting in the wide variety of designs and colours. However, real examples are not inexpensive, and given their size, it's not easy to display a large collection. I have only one, for the 17th Lancers, which is a modern day repaint by Christopher Collins. I would love to see anyone else's examples. BobS

Apologies for my, as usual, lousy photos. My only Imperial sword so far, a private purchase enlisted M89 cavalry sword for Ulanen Regt.Konig Karl( 1.Wurrtembergisches) nr.19, garrisoned in Ulm and Wibligen. Unlike many regiments of the "alte heer", it was not of relatively recent vintage, but was raised in 1689. BobS

Jerry is quite correct; the Davis book is very good. As for Kipling & King, I have always felt they are priced too high, and Vol.2, in particular, has very mediocre illustrations, especially for the price.

It's a nice quality badge, and it's pre-1953, so possibly of WWII vintage, which helps. However, the RASC is a corps, rather than a regiment, and rather low on the desirabilty scale, so I would estimate value at perhaps 20-25 British pounds.

Here is a photo of the interior of my obviously 1950 dated Grenadier Guards SD cap. Sorry it's not larger, but the caps look quite similiar, especially the peak undersides. BobS

Thanks, I belong to that forum, so I'll inquire. Actually, I have a Royal Scots Greys officer's dress cap badge, but I want to keep it for now, in the rather slim hope I find a cap for it. I could possibly been interested in a trade for a GeoV or GeoVI Household Cavalry officer's dress foragecap badge. I have a Life Guards cap, with GeoVI cypher side buttons, but no badge. I 've seen them listed for 150 pounds!!! I will not pay that much. BobS

It's a WWII era or later dress forage cap, I believe, from the photos. Pretty certain it was mis-identified by the seller. Thanks for your reply. Oh, if I may, on the subject of Yeomanry officer dress caps, I have one for the Ayrshire Yeomanry, sans badge. I cannot locate an officer's cap badge anywhere. Any suggestions?

A very nice photo. I believe that you are correct regarding Ulan Regt.nr.20, as the other Wurttemburg Ulan Regiment,nr.19, wore litzen on their collars & cuffs, not seen in this photo. I assume that the 20th regiment's facing color of yellow showed up dark in this photo, as sometimes it seemed to do back then. Here are some photos of a M89 sword for the 19th Ulans; pardon my poor photos, please.

I apologize up front for the lack of a photo, but a one photo listing on Ebay UK shows a typical all scarlet hussar officer's dress cap, sans badge. I emailed the seller regarding the ( unseen ) side buttons, and he replied they are for the Northumberland Hussars. According to my reference books, the cap for this regiment should be dark blue, with a light blue band & crown piping, not scarlet. Is this correct? Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Thanks, Jerry. I presume you mean the 17th/21st Lancers cap? One of my favorite regiments, and I reckon everyone likes the "motto." I picked up my first cap, the Queen's Own Hussars, at Herbert Johnson's shop in London, in 1976. Little did I know....... I would love to pick up some Yeomanry officer caps, but they seem to be quite scarce. One cap I do regret selling was an Essex Yeomanry officer's. I have a 1960's Ayrshire Yeomanry officer's cap, but I cannot find the correct cap badge; quite annoying. BobS

And....., a few more; it's been 35 years in the making!