chippo

Hi Hugh, thank you so much for the reply. - Chris

Hi everyone, this badge was in a group of badges and it took me ages to identify it. It's the Colombia Combat Infantry badge, and was awarded to Colombians who fought in the Korean war. It was also awarded to some Americans who fought with the Colombians. I can't find much information about it on the internet, and was wondering if anyone knew of any more information, particularly the value? Any help would be appreciated! - Chris

unfortunately it's not a rare tunic but still a nice one nonetheless. I would estimate it's worth around AU$40 or so. - Chris

awesome pics! - Chris

that's definitely an AFC colour patch on the Aussie digger. - Chris

I am pretty sure they were made in Canada for all Commonwealth countries (except Australia as we wore a different style blouse) to wear. I know Australian made battledress blouses (in this pattern even though we didn't use them) were used by British, Canadian and South African troops. - Chris

almost looks like a drivers qualification patch but it's not because of the flat bit at the bottom... It certainly has me flummoxed! - Chris

thanks for the confirmation, Tony. Battledress blouses aren't my forte - Chris

correct me if I am wrong, guys, but isn't it the C broad arrow stamping, which indicates it was made in Canada and is Canadian military property? - Chris

very, very nice indeed! Hopefully it's in Australia? - Chris

a great topic. Funnily enough I had a tunic in my collection that was nearly exactly the same as the one in post #13 except mine didn't have overseas chevrons and it had an AEME patch as opposed to the ordnance corps one. But it did have the mini 9th div. ordnance patches and the corporals chevrons! - Chris

those are both awesome! I love the NSW infantry pith. - Chris

an excellent array of patches for sure! Thanks for sharing them, guys! - Chris

awesome! I have to get up to Canberra one day and visit the AWM. - Chris

lol I wish I had the market cornered I will share the hats as I get them so stay tuned! - Chris

thanks for the replies, guys. I have thought about investing in another mannequin head but any money I spend on a mannequin head is less money for militaria. I got this one for AU$5 and I reckon it does the job. I have reached my global attachment limit so I am having to use imageshack.us for these pics The 2/14th infantry hat A 1945 dated hat A 1944 dated hat - Chris

no worries, Tony. I first held a WW2 slouch hat in my hands 3 years ago and haven't stopped since! - Chris

Hi Tony... the difference between Australian and British hats is that after 1942 Australian slouch hats used a Government manufacturing codes in their hats. For example my 1939 dated hat is made by Dunkerly Akubra however the practice of using the manufacturers name ceased during the years 1942-1945. This was due to security reasons. The first letter in the code indicated in which state the hat was made in. For example "V553" means the factory that made the hat was situated in the state of Victoria and made by the manufacturer designated number 553 by the Government. It's all confusing really! Another thing is that sometimes the manufacturers stamped D/|D on the other side of the leather liner. But strangely enough this wasn't uniform. I have several hats made by maker N.121 (a relatively common maker)... one is 1942 dated and doesn't have the D/|D stamp yet I have a 1944 dated hat made by the same maker (N.121) and it does have the D/|D stamp. I tried to upload some pics of the liners etc however it appears I have reached my picture storage limit The inside basically looks the same as a British hat however the Aussie hats have a maker, usually the words "fur felt," the size and the date stamped on the liner. Aussie hats have an oxidised (darkened) rising sun badge on the left hand side of the hat. I have never actually held a British hat in my hands so I cannot say what other differences there are. - Chris

last but certainly not least: A 1944 dated 2/43rd infantry battalion slouch hat. [attachmentid=51503] - Chris

An undated (again its missing its liner) 2/14th infantry battalion slouch hat. Dates from 1939-1941 judging by its features. The colours are meant to be yellow over blue however they have faded. [attachmentid=51502]

An undated (it's missing its leather liner) 2/7th infanty battalion slouch hat. Dates from around 1942-1945 [attachmentid=51501]

A 1942 dated RAE slouch hat. Named to J.R Matters [attachmentid=51500]

A 1939 dated Tasmania L of C (Lines of communication) slouch hat [attachmentid=51499]

A 1941 dated Australian Engineers slouch hat. [attachmentid=51498]

A 1943 dated 2/9th infantry battalion slouch hat. Named to Cpl. C.S Baxter [attachmentid=51497]