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Title Cap badge
Nationality Thai
Period c 1890-1910
Price £75.00

Clearly European made, this badge (8cm tip of spear to bottom) is almost certainly by Gaunt's of London, in view of the provenance (see below). The crossed rifles would appear to represent a pair of Martini-Henrys, so it's no surprise that, if they were buying Martinis from the British, their military badges were being made in London as well.

It is possible that this is a Cambodian badge. Presumably, either way, the crossed rifles signify that it is an infantry badge.

There are only two lugs on the reverse (one having been broken off) and it is a die-struck piece from blackened gilding metal. Its condition is excellent except for the broken lug.

Prov: from the J.R. Gaunt & Son Ltd. Pattern Book Archive, sold at auction by order of the National Army Museum, London.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.


[Militaria : Badges : Thai : 19th Century]

testimonials

[From a vendor, rather than a buyer]

I'm delighted that you are happy with the badge and I hope you can sell it to someone who will value owning it.

I tried to sell it on eBay but they won't accept Nazi items. I then contacted several dealers via a Google search who mostly offered me £40-£50 after some haggling. Most of the other dealers tried to conceal its true value in their replies and also lacked manners which doesn't inspire confidence.

Ultimately it's about trust. I should think that most prospective sellers have done their own research and therefore know roughly what their item is worth. You were the only dealer who had the integrity to concede that my valuation was approximately correct and I respect your comment that you can't offer this as you need to make a profit. Your honest approach is greatly appreciated and I felt comfortable taking the risk in sending it to you.

Thank you for a smooth transaction

C D, UK, 01.07.2015

Just picked up the bayonet,

I'm very pleased with it.

P E, UK, 11.10.2012

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