Good afternoon gents.
I picked this one up today and show it for reference and any comments / opinions.

As many will be aware, in the British Army it has long been so that SNCOs and officers of many regiments and corps are permitted to wear higher quality cap badges which are mostly private purchase. This, although an official pattern must be conformed to, gives rise to a large variation of quality and specific design. This is most noticable in the Scots regiments with some fantastic "3D" badges often made of precious metals and very high purchase prices.

This Gordon Highlanders badge is not the highest quality produced so was probably owned by a sergeant or maybe a junior officer (2LT, Lt or a junior Capt) but it just spoke to me of age and history so even though the dealer I got it from had several higher quality pieces I chose this one.

There is no hallmark and the metal is quite hard but displays all the other qualities of silver so I think it is likely a silver alloy with insufficient parts per thousand of silver to be rated Sterling (925/1000) more like 800/1000 which is often unmarked in UK or sometimes just marked "silver".
The rosette is made in two pieces; the silk ribbon is stitched to a cotton backing with a slight overlap. The overlap is then frayed to create the fringe effect. A supplier / tailors label is stitched to the cotton backing.
The split pin is also unusual in that it is plated brass when bare unplated brass is more common.
The label is for Smith Bros, South Bridge, Edinburgh which has always been an area of "select" business.
I am not sure of the period (a hallmark would have pegged that!) but I have found a trade directory reference for Smith Bros, South Bridge, Edinburgh for 1846.
Of course, this pattern of badge was in use for a long time either side of that date so a lot would depend on when Smith Bros were trading at that address (any help from members in that neck of the woods?). My gut feeling suggests late 19th century onwards.

With the rosette this would have adorned a Glengarry not a TOS (Tam O’ Shanter) so duty or parade dress rather than field / combat uniform. I doubt it was worn on a feather bonnet as those badges usually suffer some mutilation of the antlers done to stop the feathers of the bonnet becoming entangled on the prongs.

I really like this one and as I say I chose it over higher quality examples because of its’ "kerb appeal".

Any comments or opinions are most welcome.

Regards

Mark

Click to enlarge the picture