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; Ashok Nath's book, Izzat: Historical Records and Iconography of Indian Cavalry Regiments 1750-2007 (published 2009 by the Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research United Service Institution of India), a superb rendering of this extremely complex subject, beautifully illustrated. Ashok Nath's website is at: http://sites.google.com/site/anath53/home

This is a pot metal badge, maker marked on the reverse 'Gurschner Wien VII/2'. It is a nicely patinated example of the widows and orphans fund school of badges, clearly marked to the 95th regiment and dated 1916.

This interesting badge is a lost wax casting which has had the strings of the harp and the Welsh motto ('RHYDD-DID SADWEDD CYFF.LLGARWCH') engraved. The style of construction would suggest some royal appointment, as the use of the royal crown (in this case the shape is Hanoverian) was fairly carefully guarded at this period.

This is perhaps a commemorative device, possibly indicating an award of some sort, which could have been placed on the Adrian helmet that the Italians wore in WW1. It was a direct copy of the French helmet. I think it is Italian because of the crown and the general design has a marked Italian feel.

This is the 'contributing members' pin awarded to financial supporters of the SS. The translation of the German is: 'Thanks of the SS for loyalty // help in the time of struggle'. It is nicely stamped with RZM and some issue numbers on the reverse, as well as 'GES.GESCH.' (for patent pending).

This device was worn by Austrian court chamberlains as a symbol stitched into a pocket of the dress coat. It represents the key which every chamberlain would have carried as a symbol of office. It appears to be fire gilt on base metal of some sort and is in reasonable condition with most of its original gilding intact.

This impressed silver cross (5cm square) would have been worn in the 19th century, anywhere from Waterloo through to the Franco-Prussian war of 1871. It would probably have been worn on the soft field cap or shako. It doesn't have the usual logo of Mit Gott etc. However, it is almost certainly a Prussian example on account the Maltese cross design.

A nice example of the badge awarded to railway personnel for 25 years' service. It is in silver with Imperial hallmarks (half moon and crown). It is also marked with the maker's details, 'J. Wagner, Berlin'. The pin is steel.

This rather splendid veteran's badge has its original paper retailer's label on the back in black and gold. The logo around the edge translated means the first regimental roll call of the former hussar regiment King William I, Bonn-on-the-Rhine.

This (9cm diamater) appears to be composed of two elements, the backing plate being the star of the Prussian Guard, but the central crown being more like the ducal crown of Hesse, which one finds on Hessian belt buckles in brass and anodised steel. My guess is that this is an extempore piece made in WW1 for Hessian Garde Jaeger battalions.

This could be a side cap badge or an officer's collar insignia off the full dress parade tunic of the pre-1914 era. My guess is that the two badges were identical and that the tunic badge was simply used on the side cap.