shako_uk

Thanks you all for your comments - very much appreciated! Yes, I have heard of these badges made up by personel leaving the Services. I wonder at it being worth the effort! The beret on which these badges are mounted ( and they all came as one lot) is, perhaps, mot quite as blue as my scan gives one to believe. but it has been worn. The pennant, I think, must have been stamped out of sheet brass, the edges are too sharp to have been hand cut. The star and wreath badge looks as though it was made by having an o/ranks' badge sweated onto an officer's wreath. As you remarked, it is all well done. I wondered if, perhaps, it was worn by a Band. The only similar badge I have seen illustrated was on the front cover of Otto von Pivka's book on the "Armies of Europe Today". This shows a bandsman of the Moscow band wearing a similar wide-wreath badge on his peaked (visor) cap, but topped with the standard lyre badge of the military bands. Thanks again, gentlemen . . . Brian

Another three queries to stimulate the grey matter . . . are the first two items shown below fantasies or not: The large badge was sent to me as a helmet badge -but who would wear such a thing? The wings look to be hand-finished, but they look to have been cast originally, in a slight curve. The hammer and wrench look to have been stamped from sheet brass and the red star is a standard badge. The whole has a wingspan of 150mm, with a single screw fastener. The second badge has a wingspan of 80mm and has the standard bend-over strips as fasteners. This is similar to the collar badge of the Military Communications, but of course much larger. From the fasteners, it was a head-dress badge. This actual badge came via South Africa and was supposed to have been "liberated" in Angola - but we have all heard these "Tales from the Dealers", so a pinch of salt all round. [attachmentid=17359] [attachmentid=17360] The third badge I have to show this time is the badge of the Army Honour Guard, for Sergeants and Other Ranks. This is the only pattern of the 'top badge' I have seen, but there was, I believe a similar badge, which had a red star in the centre. Can anyone confirm this or - better still -show a picture of the ctual badge? Many thanks, Brian [attachmentid=17362]

Can anyone supply any information about the badge(s) shown here, please? They are mounted on a blue beret, the wreath badge being 100mm across at its widest point and the flag being 118mm across the top edge of the flag. Living in hope, Brian [attachmentid=17171]

Inspired by the spate of Afghan and mid-east decorations that have gone before, I am venturing to display my one and only helmet plate from that part of the globe. This is an Afghan badge and possibly relates to the Shah Shiyah's Horse Artillery, c.1880. If onyone has any more definite information on this badge, I'd be delighted to hear from them I have a few Afghan cap badges, but apart from one, c. 1930, they are all relatively modern ones. A Royalist Airforce cap badge would enhance my collection nicely, if anyone has one to spare . . .? Brian [attachmentid=17168]

And another couple of unidentified badges . . . [attachmentid=16737]

Here are a few more of my unidentified badges to tax the knowledge of erudite gentlemen, Once again, I would appreciate any comments as to their identities. 1. Eagle badge is 77mm across wing tips. Fasteners are bend-over strips E-W behind wings. 2. Somewhat distress, but originally silvered. Split-pin fastenings N-S. 52mm high. Ceylon? 3. 62mm high. Split-pin fastenings N-S. Italian? 4. 52mm diameter. Split-pin fastenings N-S 5. thin brass with needle-like "slider". 45mm across rifle muzzles. [attachmentid=16736]

I have had this shako plate for many years, but have never been able to discover who wore it. A standard pattern plate, as you see, but with only the words "Terra Nova" to distinguish it . Does this represent a battle honour or an indication of its origin in Nova Scotia? If anyone has any thoughts on this or can identify it beyond doubt, it would be good to hear from you. [attachmentid=16732]

Will these drawings suffice, Ed? [attachmentid=16185]

Some oddments from my "unidentified" box - can anybody help, please. Speculation welcomed. [attachmentid=15935][attachmentid=15936][attachmentid=15937]

Many thanks for the additional information. I find it is not at all easy to get information on bdges of other countries and, even if one does, it is nice to have it confirmed. Most grateful to you. Whilst writing, can you identify the two cockades on the attached scan, please? Brian[attachmentid=15931]

Thanks, Rick, for sorting out my ineptitude - good to know someone is looking after us! Brian

Apologies for mix-up! The first part of this submission is under the "Subforums" heading. How the two parts got separated, I do not know - just put it down to me being a new entrant and not being used to the system. The two badges, so I am told, were issued to the Russian 14th Army that was sent to Noldova, in the early 1990s, in support of the dissidents in the so-called Transdneiper Republic who did not wish to be swallowed up by Moldova. Attached are two more lesser-known Russian badges. There are the first ones after the hammer and sickle was dropped, but whether they were actually issued, I do not know Brian [attachmentid=15830]

Not a British badge, but that of the Nigerian Customs Service. There is also a version with a title scroll below. This badge has appeared more than once, on ebay, designated as Jewish Brigade. The query has also appeared in the British Military Historical Society Journal in the last twelve months. Some good badges you have there! Brian

second scan [attachmentid=15690]

The scans shown are of badges which have been acquired this year, but which are not of the usual run. The star badge is the dress shako plate of the Russian Presidential Guard; the other two badges are for the Russian 14th Army, troops sent to assist the dissidents in Moldavia (the so-called Republic of Transdneiper) during the early 1990s. At least, that is the information given by my supplier . . . can any Gentleman confirm this? [attachmentid=15689] The second scan is on the next posting

Some mystery badges I have in my collection - comments welcome, specific identifications would be really good! [attachmentid=15688]