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 would have been worn on one of the early Peruvian shakos in the late 1820s to commemorate the surrender of the Spaniards and the liberation of Peru in 1824 and the founding of the independent state of Peru in the following year. It probably represents the third infantry regiment.

This is the classic French gorget, the shape inherited from the old Napoleonic examples, which usually carried the eagle. With the Bourbon restoration in 1815, the lilies replaced the eagle. Under Napoleon III, a silver Napoleonic eagle replaced the lilies in 1854. The hunting horn indicates a light infantry unit / chasseurs.

I think this is the early gorget from the start of Belgium as an independent kingdom in 1831. Gorgets were worn round the neck as the last vestige of armour and an indication of officer rank. They were worn in the Belgian army throughout most of the 19th century, normally only by infantry. Cavalry did not wear these, for instance.

This attribution is based on the central device, which was carried on the sabretache and the cartouche plates of the officers of this unit. The Chasseur a Cheval were Napoleon III's personal escort, in the style of his illustrious uncle. However, this badge was also worn by the cuirassier and dragoon units of the Imperial Guard.

This is probably a naval badge, on account of the anchor underneath the Uruguayan coat of arms. However, it is also possibly a generic military badge. If anyone knows what this is, I would be interested to hear.

The motto (Nothing without God) and the reversed initials are from the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen family, one of whose princes, Carol (Charles), in 1866 became Prince of Romania. After independence from the Turks in 1877, he became the first King of Romania in 1881.

This commemorates the death of the emperor on 21 November 1916. He had reigned from 1848 - longer than Queen Victoria! An impressive individual, much loved by his people, he led a relatively spartan life which was full of tragedy, what with the suicide of his son, the assassination of his wife and the death by firing squad of his brother.

This commemorates the death of the emperor on 21 November 1916. He had reigned from 1848 - longer than Queen Victoria! An impressive individual, much loved by his people, he led a relatively spartan life which was full of tragedy, what with the suicide of his son, the assassination of his wife and the death by firing squad of his brother.

This commemorates the death of the emperor on 21 November 1916. He had reigned from 1848 - longer than Queen Victoria! An impressive individual, much loved by his people, he led a relatively spartan life which was full of tragedy, what with the suicide of his son, the assassination of his wife and the death by firing squad of his brother.

This nice enamel and silver-coloured lapel badge (2.1cm diameter) by C Poellath of Schrobenhausen could be of Bavarian origin, with blue and white on one of the enamel shields, black and red on the other. It could be anything from a student fraternity badge to some veterans' union piece.