This field covers, in the main, headdress badges of many different parts of the world, but also includes cross-belt plates, etc. An interesting example is the parallel existence of regimental badges for the British and Austrian armies, fighting on opposing sides in WW1, something unique to these two countries. Good reference books include: Kipling & King's two volumes on headdress badges of the British Army; John Gaylor's book on cap badges of the British Army.

Maker marked 'Schwerin Berlin 68'. This is an early war bronze example by the best maker in the field. It was a hard-earned badge as it was only given after several combat cruises. A nice example with virtually 100% of its original gilt finish.

Typically these badges were worn by both German and foreign dock yard workers at Kiel, Bremen, and also places like St Nazaire, anywhere, in fact, where German surface ships or U-boats were being repaired. The number on the front would correspond with the roll of the dock yard workers - it was effectively the worker's pass into the yard.

This was introduced by Admiral Raeder, who was C-in-C, German Navy. To qualify for this award, 12 weeks' service on a battleship or cruiser was needed, which could be reduced if the recipient had been wounded during the cruise. This example is the large size of miniature pin.

This was introduced by Admiral Raeder, who was C-in-C, German Navy, and it is marked on the reverse 'ADOLF BOCK // AUSF.SCHWERIN.BERLIN'. To qualify for this award, 12 weeks' service on a battleship or cruiser was needed, which could be reduced if the recipient had been wounded during the cruise.

This is a nice example of the gold bullion eagle worn by all commissioned navy officers in the Third Reich era on the tunic. It has a paper backing with some fine buckram between it and the wool body of the eagle. There is some minor tarnishing consistent with age, but generally it is in excellent shape.

This is the motor racing participants' badge for the preparations in this class of sport for the Olympic Games in 1936, the badge being dated 1935. It is marked 'ges.gesch.//A.STUBBE BERLIN'. The enamel is perfect and the EPNS finish is also excellent. I've never seen one of these before. It is approximately 6cms long.

This is the badge John Redmond had made to encourage the volunteers in the Dublin area to enlist in the British army. Subsequently, the IRA utilised this badge, normally knocking out the 'NV' (National Volunteers) motif. It has the Dublin coat of arms above a wreath of shamrocks.

This was the successor badge to the North of Ireland Imperial Yeomanry on their reorganisation in 1908 into the Special Reserve. They fought with distinction in France in 1914 and then, after a period of suspended animation from 1921-39, were reraised to fight as an armoured car regiment in N. Africa in 1943, finally serving with Valentine tanks.

This is one of a pair of badges that would have been worn on the collar of both the full dress uniform and the blue walking out uniform of the regiment. The horse of Hanover indicates the ancient lineage of the regiment. It is in bi-metal, ie gilding metal with a white metal centre. As [er usual, there are lugs to the reverse.

This is the other ranks helmet plate centre for the blue cloth helmet, which, though in service since 1871, only had the county titles introduced to the badges in 1881. The facing colour of the regiment is echoed in the cloth backing, now faded to black. It is made of gilding metal and only one lug survives (out of two or three).