Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakian cap badge for officers pre-during-post WWII - production?

[GC*]

Good evening dear fellow collectors.

I have recently purchased this Czechoslovakian cap badge. I know that it was used in pre-war Czechoslovakia as well as by the Czechoslovakian forces in the UK and in the Soviet Union during the conflict.

Moreover, if I am not mistaken, it was also kept in place in post-war socialist Czechoslovakia.

I would therefore like to ask you the following question: is there any way to determine when and where this cap badge was produced and thereofre by whom it was worn?

[Gordon Craig]

GC*,

I can not tell you when and where this cap badge was produced but I can help with when I think it was worn. I've researched the belt buckles of Czech origin and this would appear to conform to the belt buckles worn before the war. The only way that you can tell is by looking at the tip of the tail of the lion. In pre war times the tail points upwards. The buckles were made of brass. Here is a picture of an pre-war buckle.

Edited April 12, 2013 by Gordon Craig

[Gordon Craig]

In post war times, from 1945 to 1962, the tail points towards the head of the lion. These buckles were made of steel. Here is an example of a post war buckle for the dates mentioned.

[GC*]

Thank you very much Gordon for your answer.

Very interesting theory! Effectively the tail of my badge's lion seem to conform to the pre-war model.

Thanks again and in case I'll get other opinions on th badge I'll be happy to update this discussion. It really sounds like a quite interesting theme to have a design which remained in place for many years, however passing through so many different situations and of course meeting minimal changes in the details.

Cheers,

GC

[Kev in Deva]

This chap hangs on the wall of my home office, Flea-market find when I lived in Bavaria:-

Very sure its the same emblem embossed on the picture of this unknown soldier and the uniform is circa before / during WW2.

Kevin in Deva.