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This hallmarked silver Oranje Vrystaat Artillerie cap badge, together with matching lion's head boss & whistle, was worn nearly twenty years before the ABW. Pre-dating Albrecht's reforms and the introduction of Prussian-style dress in 1890, these pieces were made by Birmingham silversmiths Bent & Parker for uniforms based on those of the Royal Artillery. The assay marks for 1873 point to a time when the OVS Artillerie only had two officers, Adjutant J.A.J. van Rensburg and Lt. E.J. Holtzhuizen. Van Rensburg was promoted to Lieutenant on 15 October1866, and Holtzhuizen on 5 September1870. This set will have belonged to one of these two men.









































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