Correct Cap Badge for Glengarry?

[Dram]

Generally speaking I like to adhere to "traditional" highland attire however, I was wondering if wearing a stags head pin (approximately the size of a smaller cap badge), in lieu of a standard clan cap badge etc... would be correct?

The stags head is by itself (no belt) and is 3-D, as oppossed to being flat. Just wondering if this would be considered a highland attire faux pa? This would be worn on a Glengarry.

Thanks.

[Jock Scot]

Your badge should not upset any one.Some armigers wear a their crest without being in a circlet, but as long as you keep away from eagle feathers all should be well,particularly as your badge is in 3D. Some in Scotland might raise an eyebrow though, although in my view, unnecessarily so. Your clan badge, if you have one, is traditional, but not a must. Out of interest glengarry and balmoral badges are often quite large.

[OC Richard]

Sounds like a very nice badge.

A 3-D stag's head surrounded by leaves is the Officer's cap badge of the Gordon Highlanders.

My only "pet peeve" about cap badges on Glengarries is when they're too small.

When the Highland regiments began adopting Glengarries in the 1840's through the 1860's they each came up with an appropriate cap badge for it, and all were pretty much around the same size. Likewise for civilian wear Clan Crest cap badges were made of a nice large size for the Glengarry. So, it jumps out to somebody used to the traditional Glengarry-sized badges to see somebody nowadays wearing a small badge on one.

[macwilkin]

Sounds like a very nice badge.

A 3-D stag's head surrounded by leaves is the Officer's cap badge of the Gordon Highlanders.

My only "pet peeve" about cap badges on Glengarries is when they're too small.

When the Highland regiments began adopting Glengarries in the 1840's through the 1860's they each came up with an appropriate cap badge for it, and all were pretty much around the same size. Likewise for civilian wear Clan Crest cap badges were made of a nice large size for the Glengarry. So, it jumps out to somebody used to the traditional Glengarry-sized badges to see somebody nowadays wearing a small badge on one.

It wasn't just the Highland Regiments; in the mid 19th century, the entire British Army adopted the glengarry as a garrison/undress cap; this is depicted in the movie Zulu Dawn, which shows members of the 24th Regiment of Foot during the Zulu War:

http://www.arbeia.demon.co.uk/srs/co...nmbr/nmbr1.htm

Note the capture from the movie:

http://www.stomptokyo.com/img-m3/zulu-dawn-b.jpg

T.

[Dram]

Sounds like a very nice badge.

A 3-D stag's head surrounded by leaves is the Officer's cap badge of the Gordon Highlanders.

My only "pet peeve" about cap badges on Glengarries is when they're too small.

When the Highland regiments began adopting Glengarries in the 1840's through the 1860's they each came up with an appropriate cap badge for it, and all were pretty much around the same size. Likewise for civilian wear Clan Crest cap badges were made of a nice large size for the Glengarry. So, it jumps out to somebody used to the traditional Glengarry-sized badges to see somebody nowadays wearing a small badge on one.

In this case it's not actually a badge. It is some kind of decorative pin in silver and it is antique. Its a stags head alone and looks just like the Gordon clan badge. Some of my family were Gordons who settled in Virginia, so I thought this would be nice to wear as a cap badge. I don't however want to look like a moron. It's about 2 1/4" tall and 1 3/4 " wide.

Thanks.

[Dram]

I think it may have been a brooch originally. I have always associated a brooch with feminine dress (sash)? I am a male, and think this piece is quite masculine.

[Jock Scot]

I think it may have been a brooch originally. I have always associated a brooch with feminine dress (sash)? I am a male, and think this piece is quite masculine.

Aha! This may confound what I said earlier! If it is a Gordon badge of some sort, or is anything to do with the House of Gordon, the stags head will be above a coronet(A Duke's crown), it looks as though the stag is wearing it as a necklace, if that is the case then I don't think it is right that you should wear the badge at all.

The Seaforth Highlanders had a 3D Stag's head as part of an officers 3 part badge. In this case, the stag's head is on its own with no crown, or motto, attached to it.I can see no problem with you wearing that style. It would be interesting to see a picture.

[MacBean]

It wasn't just the Highland Regiments; in the mid 19th century, the entire British Army adopted the glengarry as a garrison/undress cap; ...
http://www.arbeia.demon.co.uk/srs/co...nmbr/nmbr1.htm
T.

Nice link cajunscot, thanks! I guess we all knew this already, but it is nice to see concrete proof: one of the badges is called Scotch Regiment.

[thescot]

Does it look anything like this? It's the old Seaforth Highlanders' badge.

[Dram]

Aha! This may confound what I said earlier! If it is a Gordon badge of some sort, or is anything to do with the House of Gordon, the stags head will be above a coronet(A Duke's crown), it looks as though the stag is wearing it as a necklace, if that is the case then I don't think it is right that you should wear the badge at all.

The Seaforth Highlanders had a 3D Stag's head as part of an officers 3 part badge. In this case, the stag's head is on its own with no crown, or motto, attached to it.I can see no problem with you wearing that style. It would be interesting to see a picture.

This particular item has no coronet, and no motto. It is only the stags head. I would not wear anything with direct military affiliations without having served.