USMC Clan Badge Help

**Geoff Withnell** · 19th August 10, 08:17 PM

I have a USMC clan badge from Don McKee. It's a beautiful piece of work. However, I can't get it to go on any of my hats securely. The badge is in two pieces, with the EGA having the pins, which go thru the back and the hat into the clasps. Picture at this link:

http://www.scottishregalia.com/usmcwoocapbadge.jpg

Going thru the back and hat, there ends up not enough pin to hold. Any suggestions?

Geoff Withnell

**Chas** · 20th August 10, 02:52 AM

Hi Geoff,

Two thoughts come to mind -

Firstly, why not stitch the rear part (strap and buckle) on to the hat. The stitching would be hidden by the EGA. Then the EGA only has to attach to the back. Maybe not so good if you have to switch hats.

Secondly, re-manufacture the grosgrain ribbon bow so that it is very securely attached to the hat. If you stitch it so that there is an opening at the bottom (an upside down pocket) the badge could be securely attached and not flop forward.

Regards

Chas

**Geoff Withnell** · 20th August 10, 04:50 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

Hi Geoff,
Two thoughts come to mind -

Firstly, why not stitch the rear part (strap and buckle) on to the hat. The stitching would be hidden by the EGA. Then the EGA only has to attach to the back. Maybe not so good if you have to switch hats.

Secondly, re-manufacture the grosgrain ribbon bow so that it is very securely attached to the hat. If you stitch it so that there is an opening at the bottom (an upside down pocket) the badge could be securely attached and not flop forward.

Regards

Chas

Your first thought is very much what I have been thinking myself. I am not sure I understand the second. How would this keep the clasps from coming off the pins?

Geoff Withnell

**Chas** · 20th August 10, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Geoff Withnell

Your first thought is very much what I have been thinking myself. I am not sure I understand the second. How would this keep the clasps from coming off the pins?

Geoff Withnell

Hi Geoff,

Most Scottish/Highland hats that I have seen have some sort of ribbon/bow/cockade on the left side through which the badge is pinned. On my Glengarry and my Balmoral these bows are very loosely stitched and not what I would call secure. They are not going to come off in general use, but would really be useless for attaching anything to. In truth most are held on by the pin of the badge - rather like the filling in a sandwich being held in place by the bread.

My idea was to re-sew the bow, making it a solid and permanent part of the hat. If a gap is left the badge can be pinned to it. The badge is secure to the bow and the bow is secure to the hat. If the opening is at the top, the badge could flop forward rather than being held upright. That is why I say make it like a pocket with the opening at the bottom. The badge is held secure and no flopping.

I don't know if that has helped or have I confused you more?

Regards

Chas

**thescot** · 20th August 10, 06:01 AM

I solved the same problem by pinning it to the grosgrain cockade rather than the hat itself. You are right that once the pins pass through the strap, there's not enough left to go through wool of any substance.

I have also found that mine is so heavy that I do not really like the way it pulls my bonnet down, so I've stopped wearing it for the most part. You could probably solve that weight problem by adding some sort of stiffener behing the ribbon, but I haven't tried it.

Might do OK on a glengarry, but I rarely wear one even though my wife likes it better.

**Geoff Withnell** · 20th August 10, 12:27 PM

Well, being generic Celtic, not strictly Scots (mostly Welsh, Irish, a little Scots and a tiny trace of Cornwall), I usually wear caubeens, that don't have the grosgrain. My wife is the needle worker in the family, so I'll see if she can attach some. Thank guys.

Geoff Withnell

**James Byous** · 20th August 10, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by Geoff Withnell

I can't get it to go on any of my hats securely. The badge is in two pieces, with the EGA having the pins, which go thru the back and the hat into the clasps. P

Going thru the back and hat, there ends up not enough pin to hold. Any suggestions?

Geoff Withnell

Geoff,
I had to re-design the badge stays in my caubeens to accommodate heavy badges. Now I use three layers of trigger, canvas or denim fabric and layer them with fusible backing, the kind you get at any fabric store. Then I sew the stay along the band of the caubeen. The stay is thin enough to stitch through, easily and stiff enough to hold heavier badges. The combination of the two is enough to hold badges that are quite heavy.

After that I would suggest stitching the base of the badge onto the cockade then gluing the insignia to it with a few spots of E6000 "jewelry" glue. You can find the glue it at most craft or Home Depot stores. The glue is quite strong and will hold under tough conditions, but with enough torque it can be made to release.
-- James Byous

**Geoff Withnell** · 21st August 10, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by James Byous

Geoff,
I had to re-design the badge stays in my caubeens to accommodate heavy badges. Now I use three layers of trigger, canvas or denim fabric and layer them with fusible backing, the kind you get at any fabric store. Then I sew the stay along the band of the caubeen. The stay is thin enough to stitch through, easily and stiff enough to hold heavier badges. The combination of the two is enough to hold badges that are quite heavy.

After that I would suggest stitching the base of the badge onto the cockade then gluing the insignia to it with a few spots of E6000 "jewelry" glue. You can find the glue it at most craft or Home Depot stores. The glue is quite strong and will hold under tough conditions, but with enough torque it can be made to release.
-- James Byous

Love your caubeens - I have three, camo, tan and black. The stays are wonderful, and hold up these rather heavy badges quite well. Until the keeper pops off the pin. Another poster had the solution for that, however.

Just as an off topic review of the caubeens, for summer in this climate (we've had quite a few 100+ F days with 90+ humidity) the tan and camo are great. Can be swept forward for a sun visor, to either side for a rakish look, or back to be out of the way. Style AND comfort!

Wow, hijacked my own thread!

Geoff Withnell

**Mike_Oettle** · 22nd August 10, 12:50 PM

Santa Kona seems to have the ideal solution to this problem.
I am actually surprised that the maker of the Marine badge did not foresee that it would arise.
My regimental bonnet badge has two solid screwposts on it. On occasion they have seemed too long, but rather too long than too short.
As for backing, I found some abandoned, cut-up leather belts lying around the barrack room the day I finished my initial training. Taking a piece of a belt and placing it behind the badge provided me with a solid support for the badge. It has always stood upright as it is supposted to do.
Regards,
Mike

**Santa Kona** · 20th August 10, 02:07 PM

I have had a lot of luck with Pin Keepers they are sold in most Harley Davidson Shops. Basically the are a small round tube with a set screw. I push the pin keeper very hard from the back and tighten down the set screw and it seams to work for me. A pack of 12 is about $5.00.
Here is a link you will have to copy and paste it in.
http://www.stockpins.com/pin-guards-...FUmA5QodV1g7vQ