Although not
nearly as sought after as WWII British Parachute Regiment Cap Badges (King’s
Crown - George VI) there are a significant variety of the regiment’s cap badges
bearing the (Queen’s Crown Elizabeth II - circa 1953 to Present). These include
the blackened "tactical" version initially adopted for wear during the “Troubles”
in Northern Ireland (circa 1968 - 1998), as well as limited usage in the
Falkland Islands Campaign in 1982, and continuing to Helmand Province, Iraq and
Afghanistan today.
A distinct
advantage, because of lack of popularity, i.e. demand, these badges have not
been the target of known replication to date. This factor is significantly off-set
by the fact that the vast preponderance of government contract manufactured
(issued) badges produced are “staybrite” a/a (aluminum alloy) with a slider,
and not white metal and/or lugged. However, both slidered and lugged versions,
with no maker’s marks exist. The first w/m QC badges having been made by Gaunt,
in both voided and non-voided versions. These are shown in Kipling & King
Volume II. The majority of w/m (white metal ) QC badges being private purchase,
not officially issued.
Until very recently shown, no
collector had seen a w/m QC lugged badge. Jerry Bond, a member of the British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum, has provided an example from his collection. Images of the badge are shown below. Additionally Parachute Regiment black
anodized badges, with sliders appear to be a scarcer variant. One group of the
latter having been produced by Sharman D. Neill Ltd in Belfast.
In summary, at
this time, the following versions are known to exist:
Black anodized aluminum
w/lugs – Not marked
w/slider QC marked Dowler Birmingham
w/slider QC marked JR Gaunt Bham
w/slider
QC marking unknown Sharman D. Neill Ltd Belfast
Silver anodized aluminum
w/slider King’s crown - no marking
on slider
w/slider QC marked Smith and Wright
(early font)
w/slider QC marked JR Gaunt London
w/slider QC marked JR Gaunt Bham
w/slider QC marked LB&B
w/slider QC marked Grove MFG
w/slider QC marked Dowler Birmingham
w/slider QC marked HW Timings Ltd
Bham
w/slider QC - no marking on slider
Silver anodized aluminum
w/lugs QC marked LB&B made in
England
w/lugs QC - no marking
w/lugs QC – no marking with odd
flattened wings (appear short)
White metal
w/slider QC - marked Dowler Birmingham
w/slider QC - marked Dowler Birmingham
w/slider QC - marked JR Gaunt London
w/lugs QC - no markings
w/lugs QC - no markings
Both
acknowledgement and gratitude are extended to the following members of the
British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum for their contributions of knowledge and
imagery.
Frank Kelley
2747andy
Gotavapen
Silverwash
Phillip Herring
Demonic
Fougrasse1940
Jack8
Mike H
JBBOND
JBBOND
The following photographs show both the obverse and reverse of the majority of the badges previously discussed.
Examples of Black Anodized Aluminum (a/a) Parachute Regiment Cap Badges (QC).
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| Black Anodized w/slider - Dowler Birmingham (Obverse) |
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| Black Anodized w/slider - Dowler Birmingham (Obverse) |
 |
| Black Anodized w/slider - Dowler Birmingham (Reverse) |
 |
| Black Anodized w/lugs - Unmarked (Obverse) |
 |
| Black Anodized w/lugs - Unmarked (Reverse) |
Examples of Silver Anodized Aluminum (a/a) Parachute Regiment Cap Badges (QC).
 |
| Silver Anodized w/slider - JR Gaunt Birmingham (Obverse) |
 |
| Silver Anodized w/slider - JR Gaunt Birmingham (Reverse) |
 |
| Silver Anodized w/lugs - Unmarked (Obverse) |
 |
| Silver Anodized w/lugs - Unmarked (Reverse) |
 |
| Silver Anodized w/lugs - Unmarked (Obverse) |
 |
| Silver Anodized w/lugs - Unmarked (Reverse) |
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| Silver Anodized w/slider - HW Timings Ltd Birmingham (Obverse) |
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| Silver Anodized w/slider - HW Timings Ltd Birmingham (Reverse) |
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| Silver Anodized w/slider - JR Gaunt Birmingham (Obverse) |
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| Silver Anodized w/slider - JR Gaunt Birmingham (Reverse) |
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| Silver Anodized w/lugs - Unmarked (Obverse) |
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| Silver Anodized w/lugs - Unmarked (Reverse) |
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| Silver Anodized w/slider - JR Gaunt Birmingham (Obverse) |
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| Silver Anodized w/slider - JR Gaunt Birmingham (Reverse) |
Examples of White Metal (w/m) Parachute Regiment Cap Badges (QC).
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| White Metal w/slider - Unmarked (Obverse) |
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| White Metal w/slider - Unmarked (Reverse) |
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| White Metal w/slider - JR Gaunt London (Obverse) |
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| White Metal w/slider - JR Gaunt London (Reverse) |
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| White Metal w/lugs - Unmarked (Obverse) |
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| White Metal w/lugs - Unmarked (Reverse) |
To the best of the author's knowledge all of the above badges are righteous, i.e. genuine.
