A Replica Baldric of the Drum-Major of the 92nd Highlanders, The Gordon Highlanders

 Very recently this author had a rare opportunity to acquire an example of a rather esoteric piece of Scottish militaria. It is a replica of the regimental drum-major’s baldric of the 92nd Regiment of Foot, The Gordon Highlanders. The only reason so stated is that the seller cited that it is newly manufactured, and was made for a re-enactors group (recreating the regiment), and there is no other provenance claiming otherwise, citing that it had been bespoken for by an identified drum-major, or officially procured by the regiment.

 Point of fact as far as I can currently determine, the only way an individual can conclusively differentiate from a well made replica museum grade baldric made in Great Britain by a specialty shop, and an actual genuine regimental baldric, is by a certified document attesting provenance by an individual serving or retired drum-major.

 Why even bother to mention such an obvious and prosaic fact? That reason being, I was curious as to whether like a vast majority of government procured uniform items, there were uniform regulations and/or sealed patterns, or List of Changes (L.O.C.) governing regimental bands drum-major’s baldrics. In the case for example of regimental cap badges, the process is rather laborious.

Having conducted a reasonably in-depth research of current British MoD regulations, here is what the author has been able to find;

ARMY DRESS REGULATIONS (ALL RANKS)

Part 4 – THE INFANTRY

REGIMENTAL DRESS REGULATIONS

Ministry of Defence

PS12(A)

May 2012
Dress Regulations for Bands, Pipes and Drums of the
British Army - Regular Army and Territorial Army

03.031 Drum Major's Embroidered Shoulder-Belt (or “Sash”), Staff (or “Mace”) and Cane.
All of customary patterns. The Embroidered Shoulder-Belt (widely known as the Drum Major’s
Sash) is worn over the left shoulder. It is traditionally of cloth of the regimental facing-colour edged with gold lace, generally fitted with two token drumsticks and embellished with Crown and Royal Cypher, regimental insignia, title-scrolls and battle-honour scrolls etc. in wire embroidery, the lower ends edged with gold fringe and joined together.

(Author’s Note: The specific term Baldric is not used in this document.)

 

A second relevant document is;

THE  ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND (SCOTS)

DRESS REGULATIONS PART TWO (Pipes & Drums)

(Regimental Military Band)

2^nd Edition 2019

 

For those readers who might be interested it can be found at; https://assets.website-files.com/616581824acedbf4bb871e17/61a605526eaf1eb172dbbf08_20190814-SCOTS%20Dress%20Regs%20-%20Part%202.pdf    

and contains additional colored images of both uniform orders and baldrics (so named).

If anyone has knowledge to the contrary, this author would sincerely appreciate hearing from you in the comments section provided below.

 

With full acknowledgement and gratitude expressed to “hagwalther” of the British and Commonwealth Military Badge Forum, he cites the following applicable to A/A and New Metal badges: 

 

“Basically, CO of Corps/Regt thinks up design of badge and creates a sketch. Sent to War Office/Army Dress Committee to get their input. They may go to Garter King of Arms if they think there may be heraldry issues. If no issues a painting is commissioned and sent to War Office/Army Dress Committee. If OK with painting it is sent to Sovereign for approval who initials the painting. At this stage the badge is officially authorized for issue. Badge samples made after War Office/Army Dress Committee put contract out to badge manufacturers for said samples which are sent to War Office/Army Dress Committee. After the badge samples are OK'ed by the War Office/Army Dress Committee anything from (if I remember) 6 - 16 are held over for attachment to pattern cards/tags. The rest of the samples were binned. The patterns were split into two - Master and Working/Standard. Between 1-2 Master cards and the rest Working/Standard. Later on the cards became tags. Master(s) was held by the Pattern Room and Working/Standards were lent out to manufacturing companies after their name/date/requisition no. was recorded on the rear. When returned the date of return was added. Pattern cards/tags are a guide only and usually related to colour, construction type (lugs/slider) and general design. Many official badges are different to the pattern cards in that they may or may not be mounted items (multi part) and even different in style. Also note makers of samples not always manufacturers of first batch of badges for issue. Patterns could be withdrawn and re-sealed later as units disbanded and later reconstructed hence multiple dates on same pattern card.”

 

Having actually gone through the analogous process required for adaptation of an official insigne of a United States Navy, ship, squadron or organization, twice while on active duty, I can personally attest to the fact that the latter is a lot easier. See; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/03/from-halls-of-old-nassau-to-shores-of_3917.html

 

The following image is from an official government specifying the form and content of a patten card.

 To the extent of my limited research and current level of knowledge, neither exist. However, by virtue of photographic evidence, custom and tradition do. That was certainly the case with The Gordon Highlanders. While the style and detailed execution of the baldric may have varied, even from individual drum-major to his successor, the basic group of common elements (majority of cases) remains incorporated in sequence from top to bottom;

 

The Royal Crown, King's/Queen's

The Royal Cipher, i.e., “E II R”

Pair of miniature silver tipped drumsticks (on either side of)

The Coat of Arms of Great Britain

Full Name of the Regiment

The Regimental Cap Badge

Any Special Distinctions, i.e., Tiger “India”/Sphinx “Egypt”

Authorized Battle Honours on individual Scrolls (nominally in order by year of the battle)

 

 The following images are of the actual baldric I was able to acquire, followed by a classic photograph of Drum-Major Jeff Harper and Pipe-Major (later Capt) Stewart D. Sampson MBE. Both being last to serve the regiment 1994, as well as other examples of basically the same wore on other drum-majors including 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Prineess Louise's).