*British, cWW1-WW2, Framed Display of 66 Original Brass & Gilding-Metal Army Cap Badges*
Measurements: Frame: 95.6 cm (37¾ in) wide. Height: 78 cm (30¾ in). Depth: approx. 4 cm
An impressive wall-mounted collection comprising sixty-six original British Army cap badges, all in brass or gilding metal, mounted on a dark fabric background within a period gilt and white-painted frame (95.6 cm wide x 78 cm tall). Each badge is individually wired to the backing board, as shown from the reverse, indicating original mounting rather than later adhesive fixing. The selection represents a wide range of regiments and corps across the British Empire, including English line infantry and county regiments, Highland and Lowland Scottish units, and colonial contingents from India and Africa.
Among the regiments and corps represented are the King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster), Royal Scots Greys, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, Lincolnshire Regiment, Royal Welch Fusiliers, Durham Light Infantry, Royal Ulster Rifles, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, Army Service Corps, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, and Seaforth Highlanders, together with other historic British and Commonwealth formations.
Several examples within the display appear to be scarcer or more desirable to collectors, notably:
– Machine Gun Corps (MGC) – Crossed Vickers guns with Royal cipher, WWI-only corps disbanded 1922.
– Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) – Distinctive Maltese cross with St Andrew and thistle wreath; disbanded 1968.
– Highland Light Infantry – St Andrew’s cross badge, typical inter-war brass form.
– King’s African Rifles / West African Frontier Force – Laurel wreath with crossed spears and crown (if correctly identified); a rare colonial inclusion.
– King’s Own Malta Regiment / Malta Territorial Force – Maltese Cross with crown (possible centre-left row); a highly uncommon badge.
– Inns of Court Regiment – Fleur-de-lys device; always a sought-after officer-corps pattern.
– Royal Ulster Rifles – Crown over harp and motto Quis Separabit, pre-1952 King’s Crown version.
– Army Service Corps (ASC) – Pre-1918 type lacking the later “Royal” prefix.
– Royal Tank Regiment – Early “Fear Naught” design with tank motif.
– King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) – Classic bugle-horn form, well-detailed in brass.
While every effort has been made to identify the badges accurately, some patterns share close design similarities across regiments and periods, and attributions are therefore made in good faith based on visible details. The collection as a whole represents a highly authentic and historically broad display of British and Commonwealth Army insignia from the first half of the twentieth century.
Historical Note:
Cap badges of this type were introduced after 1881 to reflect regimental identity within the reorganised British Army structure. Each design incorporates unique local or royal emblems—animals, mottos, or saintly patrons—symbolising the regiment’s heritage. Mounted sets such as this were often produced for officers’ messes, recruiting depots, or as commemorative collections for presentation purposes in the 1930s–50s.
*Condition*
Badges generally in good original condition with consistent age toning and light patina; no repainting or modern reproductions evident. Some minor wear and dust to the velvet backing. Frame with age-related surface distress and flaking to the gilt-painted moulding but structurally sound. Original hanging wire to reverse, together with evidence of the original mounting wire fixings. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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