Strangely Sane Posted November 21, 2015 Posted November 21, 2015 I am trying to research what I think is a German military patch in my possession and was told that someone on this forum might be able to offer some information on it. The badge, along with other bits and pieces of similar hue, belonged to my late father. He almost exclusively collected German related items so I have assumed this is also of German origin - although nobody I have contacted has been able to offer any information. It is obviously a rare example because try as I might I cannot find another despite painstaking searches online. I have attached a photographs which doesn't really do it justice. The entire detail of the badge is intricately braided wire (made of silver, I believe, albeit tarnished for the most part). Features a griffin rampant (to the right) within two pairs of braided ellipsis with embellishment. Above the griffin is the number 15 below it 63 Mounted on vermilion cloth with a paper backing. Any assistance you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
The Prussian Posted November 22, 2015 Posted November 22, 2015 (edited) Hello! I don´t think, it´s german. I assume it´s swedish, but it´s just a guess. The Kalmar Regiment fought 1563 in the "Nothern Seven Years War" (1563-1570). The regiment did exist also from 1994-1997 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalmar_Regiment The lion could be the coat-of-arm of Östergötland (Sweden) https://www.asisbiz.com/Sweden/Statue-Karl-XIV-Johan.html Heraldry From 1560 Östergötland was represented with two separate arms until 1884 when the current one was granted. The arms is represented with a dukal coronet. Blazon: ‘Gules a Griffin with Dragon Wings, Tail and Tongue rampant Or armed, beaked, langued and membered Azure between four Roses Argent.’ Edited November 22, 2015 by The Prussian
GRA Posted November 22, 2015 Posted November 22, 2015 Hello! It's not Kalmar Regiment, or for that matter any of the regiments of Småland, they would use a lion rampant with a crossbow somewhere in the design. Kalmar Regiment used it in their buttons, while the Kronoberg Regiment used it as shoulder insignia. All the regiments of Småland except the Jönköping Regiment, who used a castle, would use the lion on their colours/standards. As Andy says, the patch bears resemblance to the arms of Östergötland, but I'd like to see the roses on the patch too. It has the wrong colours for the coat of arms of Södermanland (black griffin on yellow). In fact, the design of the patch doesn't make me think of Sweden at all, the shape and the abundance of twin pin stripes doesn't feel Swedish. What's the embellishment on the griffin? A flower? A collar? /Jonas
The Prussian Posted November 22, 2015 Posted November 22, 2015 (edited) Hello Jonas! As I said, it´s just a guess. This one was the only link to the patch. We should find out, what the number stands for. Is it a year? Or a unit? The only german unit would be 15th company of Inf.Rgt. 63 That regiment had 3 MG-companies, so they counted as 13., 14. and 15th company. But anyway, that patch really doesn´t look german to me We Edited November 22, 2015 by The Prussian
GRA Posted November 22, 2015 Posted November 22, 2015 As you say Andy, the key to solving the ID of the patch is probably in the numbers. Should it be read 15th/63rd, 15th+63rd or 1563? Is it even a military patch? Any other geographic inclination except "probably not German or Swedish"?
The Prussian Posted November 22, 2015 Posted November 22, 2015 (edited) Well, I don´t know... I´d say, the number is the year. Turning in circles the only solution in the internet was the swedish one. That would fit to 1563 too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Seven_Years'_War Near Karlsruhe in germany is a town called Marxzell with a similar coat-of-arm, but no hint to 1563 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxzell The same is Giessen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giessen What happened in 1563? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1563 Edited November 22, 2015 by The Prussian
Chris Boonzaier Posted November 22, 2015 Posted November 22, 2015 I am with Andy, I really doubt a German connection with this patch. it could be for an association.
IrishGunner Posted November 22, 2015 Posted November 22, 2015 (edited) Well, there could be a German connection... but colors are slightly different (yellow vice blue beak and claws). Duchy of Pomerania: The House of Griffins or House of Pomerania (German: Greifen; Polish: Gryfici), also known as House of Greifen. However, dates from 12th Century to 1637. Can't find 1563 as a significant date. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Pomerania Now the Polish West Pomeranian Voivodeship or West Pomerania Province with Szczecin (Stettin) as capital. Then there are the Wappen of Greifswald in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; but again yellow vice blue beak/claws. Edited November 22, 2015 by IrishGunner
Strangely Sane Posted November 24, 2015 Author Posted November 24, 2015 The mystery has been solved by a friend. Apparently it's the old badge for Abingdon School. My father was a day pupil and member of their Combined Cadet Force in his youth. Feeling a bit silly now - but glad that question was resolved. Thanks to all who applied themselves to the problem - I'm sorry it couldn't have been something more interesting in the end.
The Prussian Posted November 24, 2015 Posted November 24, 2015 Interesting! And the 1563? Here: http://study.abingdon.org.uk/quater/Abingdon_School/Quatercentenary_Music_files/shapeimage_1.jpg
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