USMC Clan Badge Help

[Geoff Withnell]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Santa Kona]

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

[okiwen]

Santa,
Good link. I am glad you posted the post locks. That will come in hand at work as well.

I was quite disappointed when I received my EGA pin. Seeing right off that the posts were not near long enough nor secure enough. I thought it would be something that the maker would fix right away before selling items. I kept it only for convenience and support. Nice looking pin yet still it sits in my sock drawer.

[Geoff Withnell]

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

Very cool, thanks. I'm going to use a little locktite on the set screws, just ot be sure.

Geoff Withnell