TOPIC:

A new addition.

A large cast brass badge in the form of the coat-of-arms of the Transvaal. Owen lists this as a "Z.A.R. martingale cast badge?" (#2005). If it is indeed a martingale badge, which I believe is likely, which unit was it designed for? As I understand it, both the Staatsartillerie and ZAR Police used a badge similar in design to the ZARP helmet plate: – that is, "ZAR" monogram within the motto "Eendragt Maakt Magt", surmounted by the Transvaal eagle (see below).

Or could this badge have been used to embellish the harnesses of the work/gun horses rather than those of the men's steeds? It is certainly more robust than the standard martingale badges.

Note the eight stout fixing wires to the reverse for attachment to leather.

This badge is much scarcer than the standard Staatsartillerie / ZARP type.



















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Neville, a rare and very interesting badge. I am not aware of other ZAR badges which have single flags bordering the arms. The single flag design occurs in the Free State badges and the only Transvaal link to single flags I could find was in the design of the Arms of the Nieuwe Republiek, an country that existed between 1884-1888 and was subsequently absorbed into the Transvaal. Because both motto and arms design of your badge are clearly that of the Transvaal, the single flag could indicate a very early production date and/or a foreign producer.

Below a small Nieuwe Republiek shield in silver.