New Zealand Infantry and Mounted Rifle Badges
From the beginning of WW1, New Zealand had a established, regular Army, which had come into force in 1911 as part of the 1909 Defence Act.
For administration purposes, New Zealand had been divided into four Army Area's, with 4 Infantry and 3 Mounted Rifle Regiments assigned to each "Area".
The area's were as follows:
A - Auckland Area - covering from the middle to the top of the North Island of NZ.
Infantry Regiments consisted of:
- 3rd (Auckland) Infantry Regiment
- 6th (Hauraki) Infantry Regiment
- 15th (North Auckland) Infantry Regiment
- 16th (Waikato) Infantry Regiment
Mounted Rifle Regiments were:
- 3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles
-4th (Waikato) Mounted Rifles
-11th (North Auckland) Mounted Rifles
B - Wellington Area - covering from the middle to lower half of the North Island of NZ.
Infantry Regiments consisted of:
- 5th (Wellington Rifles) Infantry Regiment
- 7th (Wellington West Coast) Infantry Regiment
- 9th (Hawke’s Bay) Infantry Regiment
- 11th (Taranaki) Infantry Regiment
Mounted Rifle Regiments were:
- 2nd (Wellington West Coast) Mounted Rifles
- 6th (Manawatu) Mounted Rifles
- 9th (Wellington East Coast) Mounted Rifles
C - Canterbury Area - covering from the middle to the top half of the South Island of NZ.
Infantry Regiments consisted of:
- 1st (Canterbury) Infantry Regiment
- 2nd (South Canterbury) Infantry Regiment
- 12th (Nelson) Regiment - became the 12th (Nelson & Marlborough) from 1917
- 13th (North Canterbury & Westland) Regiment
Mounted Rifle Regiments were:
- 1st (Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry) Mounted Rifles
- 8th (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles
- 10th (Nelson) Mounted Rifles
D - Otago Area - covering from the middle to the lower half of the South Island and including Stewart Island.
Infantry Regiments consisted of:
- 4th (Otago) Infantry Regiment
- 8th (Southland) Infantry Regiment
- 10th (North Otago) Infantry Regiment
- 14th (South) Otago Infantry Regiment
Mounted Rifle Regiments were:
- 5th (Otago Hussars) Mounted Rifles
- 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles
- 12th (Otago) Mounted Rifles
(the above three Otago Mounted Rifles left with the main body of men in Oct 1914 and fought (as all Mounted Rifle units) as dismounted Infantry at Gallipoli. With the Reorganisation and formation of the ANZAC and NZ Divisions after the withdrawal from Gallipoli in early 1916, the three units of Otago Mounted Rifle were not required to serve in the Middle East, and instead their units fought as dismounted Infantry or in other units in France and on the Western Front.
This section of the website will look at the huge variation of Cap and collar badges worn by the 17 New Zealand Infantry and 12 Mounted Rifle Regiments from 1911 until now.
For administration purposes, New Zealand had been divided into four Army Area's, with 4 Infantry and 3 Mounted Rifle Regiments assigned to each "Area".
The area's were as follows:
A - Auckland Area - covering from the middle to the top of the North Island of NZ.
Infantry Regiments consisted of:
- 3rd (Auckland) Infantry Regiment
- 6th (Hauraki) Infantry Regiment
- 15th (North Auckland) Infantry Regiment
- 16th (Waikato) Infantry Regiment
Mounted Rifle Regiments were:
- 3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles
-4th (Waikato) Mounted Rifles
-11th (North Auckland) Mounted Rifles
B - Wellington Area - covering from the middle to lower half of the North Island of NZ.
Infantry Regiments consisted of:
- 5th (Wellington Rifles) Infantry Regiment
- 7th (Wellington West Coast) Infantry Regiment
- 9th (Hawke’s Bay) Infantry Regiment
- 11th (Taranaki) Infantry Regiment
Mounted Rifle Regiments were:
- 2nd (Wellington West Coast) Mounted Rifles
- 6th (Manawatu) Mounted Rifles
- 9th (Wellington East Coast) Mounted Rifles
C - Canterbury Area - covering from the middle to the top half of the South Island of NZ.
Infantry Regiments consisted of:
- 1st (Canterbury) Infantry Regiment
- 2nd (South Canterbury) Infantry Regiment
- 12th (Nelson) Regiment - became the 12th (Nelson & Marlborough) from 1917
- 13th (North Canterbury & Westland) Regiment
Mounted Rifle Regiments were:
- 1st (Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry) Mounted Rifles
- 8th (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles
- 10th (Nelson) Mounted Rifles
D - Otago Area - covering from the middle to the lower half of the South Island and including Stewart Island.
Infantry Regiments consisted of:
- 4th (Otago) Infantry Regiment
- 8th (Southland) Infantry Regiment
- 10th (North Otago) Infantry Regiment
- 14th (South) Otago Infantry Regiment
Mounted Rifle Regiments were:
- 5th (Otago Hussars) Mounted Rifles
- 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles
- 12th (Otago) Mounted Rifles
(the above three Otago Mounted Rifles left with the main body of men in Oct 1914 and fought (as all Mounted Rifle units) as dismounted Infantry at Gallipoli. With the Reorganisation and formation of the ANZAC and NZ Divisions after the withdrawal from Gallipoli in early 1916, the three units of Otago Mounted Rifle were not required to serve in the Middle East, and instead their units fought as dismounted Infantry or in other units in France and on the Western Front.
This section of the website will look at the huge variation of Cap and collar badges worn by the 17 New Zealand Infantry and 12 Mounted Rifle Regiments from 1911 until now.
New Zealand Infantry Regiments
1st (Canterbury) Infantry Regiment.
A selection of 1st (Canterbury) Infantry Regiment Cap Badges.
- Top Left: Referred to as the "Spiky Leaf" version, a locally made NZ version of the cap badge
- Top Middle: J R Gaunt made, bi metal cap badge
- Top Right: All brass version
- Bottom Left: J R Gaunt made Officers Bronze and Silver (?) Cap Badge with blades to back.
- Bottom Middle: J R Gaunt made with hook. In 1911 there was some indecision on what hat the newly formed NZ Army would adopt. Gaunt hedged and thought that the Army would adopt the slouched hat, as it had in the Boer War, and included a hook on some of the badges. Instead the NZ Army adopted the UK peaked cap, though later it would adopt the Lemon Squeezer for Infantry and Slouched hat for Mounted Rifles. A rare survivor (many had their hook snapped/clipped off and issued as normal cap badges).
- Bottom Right: A sand cast Brass cap badge, complete with Gaunt plaque cast into its back. Made in the middle East during WW1 as Kiwi Regiments were briefly stationed there or passed through to other theaters of War.
- Top Left: Referred to as the "Spiky Leaf" version, a locally made NZ version of the cap badge
- Top Middle: J R Gaunt made, bi metal cap badge
- Top Right: All brass version
- Bottom Left: J R Gaunt made Officers Bronze and Silver (?) Cap Badge with blades to back.
- Bottom Middle: J R Gaunt made with hook. In 1911 there was some indecision on what hat the newly formed NZ Army would adopt. Gaunt hedged and thought that the Army would adopt the slouched hat, as it had in the Boer War, and included a hook on some of the badges. Instead the NZ Army adopted the UK peaked cap, though later it would adopt the Lemon Squeezer for Infantry and Slouched hat for Mounted Rifles. A rare survivor (many had their hook snapped/clipped off and issued as normal cap badges).
- Bottom Right: A sand cast Brass cap badge, complete with Gaunt plaque cast into its back. Made in the middle East during WW1 as Kiwi Regiments were briefly stationed there or passed through to other theaters of War.
- Top Right: 4th Cadet Battalion Cap Badge - note the voided background to center and it has a slider to back.
- Top Middle: A solid backed, gilt fired cap badge to the 1st. Marked "S" to back (for Silver center) and J R Gaunt of London, this is the Kings Crowned version.
- Top Right: All brass, darkened, with slider.
Middle Left and Middle Right: Gilt fired Brass and Silver (?) collar badge pair to the 1st.
- Bottom Left and Middle bottom Right: Bi-metal collars to the 1st
- Bottom Middle - A solid backed, gilt fired cap badge to the 1st. Marked "S" to back (for Silver center) and J R Gaunt of London, this is the Queens Crowned version, and used from 1952 to 1964, when the 1st (Canterbury) Infantry Regt became a Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
- Mid Bottom Far Right: A all whiter metal version of the collar.
- Top Middle: A solid backed, gilt fired cap badge to the 1st. Marked "S" to back (for Silver center) and J R Gaunt of London, this is the Kings Crowned version.
- Top Right: All brass, darkened, with slider.
Middle Left and Middle Right: Gilt fired Brass and Silver (?) collar badge pair to the 1st.
- Bottom Left and Middle bottom Right: Bi-metal collars to the 1st
- Bottom Middle - A solid backed, gilt fired cap badge to the 1st. Marked "S" to back (for Silver center) and J R Gaunt of London, this is the Queens Crowned version, and used from 1952 to 1964, when the 1st (Canterbury) Infantry Regt became a Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
- Mid Bottom Far Right: A all whiter metal version of the collar.
2nd (South Canterbury) Infantry Regiment.
A selection of Cap and Collar badges to the 2nd (South Canterbury) Infantry Regiment.
- Top Left: J R Gaunt made Cap badge - Note the stance of the Kiwi to center. This Kiwi was used on the Volunteer, pre 1911 South Canterbury Battalion badges. Presumably Gaunt was using up its old stock on this early 2nd (South Canterbury) Infantry Regiment. At some stage Gaunt changed its dies and produced a different version of the Kiwi to center.
- Top Middle: J R Gaunt made Cap Badge - Note the different stance and thicker throat to Kiwi.
- Top Right: A Bronze, bi-metal Officers Cap badge to the 2nd's. Bladed to back and impressed with J R Gaunt of London.
- Middle Left: Right collar with early Kiwi - Gaunt plaque to back.
- Middle center left and right: Later matching opposing pair of collars - both Gaunt marked.
- Middle far Right: Officers collar - semi solid to back.
- Bottom: All brass version of the collar.
- Top Left: J R Gaunt made Cap badge - Note the stance of the Kiwi to center. This Kiwi was used on the Volunteer, pre 1911 South Canterbury Battalion badges. Presumably Gaunt was using up its old stock on this early 2nd (South Canterbury) Infantry Regiment. At some stage Gaunt changed its dies and produced a different version of the Kiwi to center.
- Top Middle: J R Gaunt made Cap Badge - Note the different stance and thicker throat to Kiwi.
- Top Right: A Bronze, bi-metal Officers Cap badge to the 2nd's. Bladed to back and impressed with J R Gaunt of London.
- Middle Left: Right collar with early Kiwi - Gaunt plaque to back.
- Middle center left and right: Later matching opposing pair of collars - both Gaunt marked.
- Middle far Right: Officers collar - semi solid to back.
- Bottom: All brass version of the collar.
Above: A group photo, taken in France (it says 1916) of Officers to the 2nd (South Canterbury) Infantry Regiment. Sadly unidentified at this stage, but a possible identification of the Officer, back row, second from the right as 6/478 William Moyse Hocking.
3rd (Auckland) Infantry Regiment.
A scarce set of Cap and matching, opposing Collar badges to the 1st Battalion, (Auckland) Infantry Regiment. Formed in 1911, they were worn for a short time, until the Regiment changed its name and the below badges were worn.
A selection of Cap and Collar badges to the 3rd (Auckland, Countess of Ranfurly) Infantry Regiment. Worn after the above badge set, and until 1964, when the Regiment became part of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
The top and center 4 Cap badges just shows the variation encountered. Most NZ badges come with lugs, but there are some localised slider versions of the 3rd Cap. Note the non-void badge on the top right.
Bottom row depicts the Queens & Kings crown gilt fired versions, which display superb finish, still after some 60+ years since they were made. They come with opposing Gilt fired Collars.
J R Gaunt is the main WW1 manufacturer of this badge and they can be found marked as such to back.
The top and center 4 Cap badges just shows the variation encountered. Most NZ badges come with lugs, but there are some localised slider versions of the 3rd Cap. Note the non-void badge on the top right.
Bottom row depicts the Queens & Kings crown gilt fired versions, which display superb finish, still after some 60+ years since they were made. They come with opposing Gilt fired Collars.
J R Gaunt is the main WW1 manufacturer of this badge and they can be found marked as such to back.
4th (Otago) Infantry Regiment.
Early versions of the 4th (Otago) Infantry Regiment. Worn for a short time after the regiment was formed in 1911.
Top center - 4th Cap badge, not much difference in size to the collars.
Second Row - Opposing collars to the 4th
Third Row - A variation, with non-void backgrounds
Bottom - Horse Breast badge, usually mounted on a piece of leather. Cast brass, with three large D-shaped lugs to back.
Top Right - Badge to the 6th - has been mentioned as either a Territorial unit or maybe a Reinforcement Badge. This one is collar size.
All these badges are locally NZ made and come with small copper looped lugs
Top center - 4th Cap badge, not much difference in size to the collars.
Second Row - Opposing collars to the 4th
Third Row - A variation, with non-void backgrounds
Bottom - Horse Breast badge, usually mounted on a piece of leather. Cast brass, with three large D-shaped lugs to back.
Top Right - Badge to the 6th - has been mentioned as either a Territorial unit or maybe a Reinforcement Badge. This one is collar size.
All these badges are locally NZ made and come with small copper looped lugs
Cap and Collar badge sets to the 4th (Otago) Infantry Regiment. These were approved in design after the above badges, and were worn overseas by the Regiment in WW1.
Set on the left is made by J R Gaunt, of London, while set on the right is unmarked, and possibly locally NZ made.
Set on the left is made by J R Gaunt, of London, while set on the right is unmarked, and possibly locally NZ made.
5th (Wellington) Infantry Regiment
A selection of Cap and Collar badges to the 1st Battalion of the 5th (Wellington) Infantry Regiment. The regiment was formed in 1911, and at the outbreak of WW1, were sent as part of the Samoan Expeditionary Force. Upon its return in early 1915, its members formed parts of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, who saw action in France.
- Top row - Gaunt made Cap and collar set in gilt brass (now a dull tone).
- Bottom row - Gilt fired brass collar set to the regiment. I have yet to see a Cap badge.
The left collar (when worn - its the top right in the picture) was worn as a Cap badge by volunteer elements prior to 1911, and usually had "N" and "Z" either side.
- Top row - Gaunt made Cap and collar set in gilt brass (now a dull tone).
- Bottom row - Gilt fired brass collar set to the regiment. I have yet to see a Cap badge.
The left collar (when worn - its the top right in the picture) was worn as a Cap badge by volunteer elements prior to 1911, and usually had "N" and "Z" either side.
Opposite: Cap and Collars to the 5th (Wellington) Infantry Regiment. Initially it was worn by the Territorial unit associated with the area from 1911.
In 1964, the 5th (Wellington) Infantry Regiment became part of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
- Top and 2nd Row - Officers Bronze Cap and collar set made by Firmin of London. All badges have 2 bladed tangs to back.
- 3rd Row - unusual Cap badge variation in gilt brass, with screw posts attached to back.
- 4th and Bottom row - Cap and Collar badge set in Gilt Fired brass.
In 1964, the 5th (Wellington) Infantry Regiment became part of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
- Top and 2nd Row - Officers Bronze Cap and collar set made by Firmin of London. All badges have 2 bladed tangs to back.
- 3rd Row - unusual Cap badge variation in gilt brass, with screw posts attached to back.
- 4th and Bottom row - Cap and Collar badge set in Gilt Fired brass.
6th (Hauraki) Infantry Regiment
Rare bi-metal Officers Cap and Collar badges to the 6th (Hauraki) Infantry Regiment. These would have been worn prior to WW1, and just after the Regiment was formed in 1911.
- Top Center - A bi-metal cap badge with tangs to back and is marked "J R Gaunt London".
- Sides - A selection of bi-metal collars. Note I am missing the gilt brass center piece on two. They are opposing, with the two Lion's facing inwards. The third collar is complete with backing plate and some remnants of black material to center. It would have been worn on the left collar.
- Bottom - A superb broached example of a Officers or Sweethearts badge. It is known that some Officers preferred to have broach fittings to back rather than lugs. It retains much of its gilt finish and like the above, is maker plaqued to J R Gaunt of London.
- Top Center - A bi-metal cap badge with tangs to back and is marked "J R Gaunt London".
- Sides - A selection of bi-metal collars. Note I am missing the gilt brass center piece on two. They are opposing, with the two Lion's facing inwards. The third collar is complete with backing plate and some remnants of black material to center. It would have been worn on the left collar.
- Bottom - A superb broached example of a Officers or Sweethearts badge. It is known that some Officers preferred to have broach fittings to back rather than lugs. It retains much of its gilt finish and like the above, is maker plaqued to J R Gaunt of London.
A selection of all brass Cap and collar badge sets to the 6th.
- Top Row - a Cap and Collar set made by J R Gaunt of London. Note the collars are opposing, and the Lion is worn facing inwards.
- Left Set - A set of Gilt fired Brass badges to the Regiment
- Right Cap Badge - Locally made to "M & K, W" or Mayer and Keane of Wellington.
- Bottom center - Single Officers Bronze Collar badge - Left when worn.
- Top Row - a Cap and Collar set made by J R Gaunt of London. Note the collars are opposing, and the Lion is worn facing inwards.
- Left Set - A set of Gilt fired Brass badges to the Regiment
- Right Cap Badge - Locally made to "M & K, W" or Mayer and Keane of Wellington.
- Bottom center - Single Officers Bronze Collar badge - Left when worn.
The 6th (Hauraki) still exist today, but are now part of the 3 Battalions of Territorial Force which support the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
They are designated as 3rd/6th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (3/6 RNZIR), from
They are designated as 3rd/6th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (3/6 RNZIR), from
- - 3rd Battalion (Auckland [Countess of Ranfurly's Own] and Northland Regiment),
- - 6th Battalion (Hauraki Regiment)
- They still wear a version of their badge, as opposite, and it comes in a gilded metal (left set) or darkened version (right set).
- The large badge to the center is worn by the Hauraki Regimental Band.
7th (Wellington West Coast Rifles) Infantry Regiment.
Cap and Collar badges to the 7th (Wellington West Coast Rifles) Infantry Regiment. Formed again in 1911, it amalgamated with the 11th (Taranaki) Infantry Regiment after WW2 to form the Wellington West Coast & Taranaki Regiment (its badges are further down).
Top left: - a sand cast collar, probably middle Eastern manufacture, around WW1.
Top right: A single bronze Officers collar to the 7th, Semi-solid to back and marked J R Gaunt of London.
Left middle set: A Cap and Collar badge set maker marked to J R Gaunt of London. Gilt brass finish is now a dull tone.
Right middle set: A unmarked to back, set of badges to the 7th. More likely Gaunt in manufacture, who sometimes didn't mark their badges.
Top left: - a sand cast collar, probably middle Eastern manufacture, around WW1.
Top right: A single bronze Officers collar to the 7th, Semi-solid to back and marked J R Gaunt of London.
Left middle set: A Cap and Collar badge set maker marked to J R Gaunt of London. Gilt brass finish is now a dull tone.
Right middle set: A unmarked to back, set of badges to the 7th. More likely Gaunt in manufacture, who sometimes didn't mark their badges.
8th (Southland Rifles) Regiment.
Two sets of Cap and opposing Collar badges to the 8th (Southland) Infantry Regiment. Fought in both WW1 and WW2, but amalgamated with the Otago Regiment in 1948 to form the Otago and Southland Regiment. It went on in 1964 to become the 4th Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
Left Set: Cap and opposing Collar badges in gilt brass which are marker plaqued to J R Gaunt of London to back.
Right Set: Cap and opposing Collar badges in darkened bronze.
Left Set: Cap and opposing Collar badges in gilt brass which are marker plaqued to J R Gaunt of London to back.
Right Set: Cap and opposing Collar badges in darkened bronze.
Top Collars and Middle Cap Badge: Scarce "Spear Across the Body" type, possible to counter the issue of the spear breaking off. If you have ever tried to collect a set of badges to the 8th, you will come across many examples where the spear tip has snapped off. This type appear to be locally made in New Zealand.
Cap Badge to the Middle Right: A semi-solid bronze cap badge with Silver Spear. Mine is a little toned, so its difficult to distinguish the separately applied Taiaha (Spear in Maori). Badge is impressed to back to J R Gaunt of London.
Cap Badge to the Middle Left: In 1948 The Otago and Southland Regiments merged, and this is their combined badge they wore. Gilt brass in construction.
Bottom Badge Set: A harder to get Gilt Fired brass set to the Otago and Southland, especially the collar on the bottom left.
Cap Badge to the Middle Right: A semi-solid bronze cap badge with Silver Spear. Mine is a little toned, so its difficult to distinguish the separately applied Taiaha (Spear in Maori). Badge is impressed to back to J R Gaunt of London.
Cap Badge to the Middle Left: In 1948 The Otago and Southland Regiments merged, and this is their combined badge they wore. Gilt brass in construction.
Bottom Badge Set: A harder to get Gilt Fired brass set to the Otago and Southland, especially the collar on the bottom left.
9th (Hawkes Bay) Infantry Regiment.
A selection of Cap and Collar badges to the 9th (Hawkes Bay) Infantry Regiment.
Top Center: - Officers darkened bronze Cap badge, semi-solid to back, with the maker details impressed to "J R Gaunt, London".
Left Middle: A Gaunt made gilt brass Cap badge
Right Middle: Locally made NZ gilt brass Cap badge. Much of the gilt finish now gone.
Center: Gilt fired, Kings crown Cap Badge. Solid to back.
Lower Middle, Left and Right: A Gaunt made collar badge pair in Gilt brass. Much of their finish now gone.
Bottom Row: Gilt Fired Queens crown Cap and collar badge set. The regiment became part of the 7th Battalion of the RNZIR with the Wellington's in 1964.
Top Center: - Officers darkened bronze Cap badge, semi-solid to back, with the maker details impressed to "J R Gaunt, London".
Left Middle: A Gaunt made gilt brass Cap badge
Right Middle: Locally made NZ gilt brass Cap badge. Much of the gilt finish now gone.
Center: Gilt fired, Kings crown Cap Badge. Solid to back.
Lower Middle, Left and Right: A Gaunt made collar badge pair in Gilt brass. Much of their finish now gone.
Bottom Row: Gilt Fired Queens crown Cap and collar badge set. The regiment became part of the 7th Battalion of the RNZIR with the Wellington's in 1964.
10th (North Otago) Infantry Regiment.
A Cap or Collar badge (their were worn as either) to the 10th (North Otago) Infantry Regiment. Formed in 1911, the were absorbed into the 4th (Otago) Infantry Regiment in 1921 and the badge was ceased to be worn.
Top Middle: A darkened bronze, semi-solid Cap or Collar badge. Note the void around the shield to center. This feature appears on early badges only (and maybe continued on Officers).
Middle Row: Gaunt made, gilt brass Cap and or Collar badges to the 10th with the scarce void area around the shield.
Bottom Row: Gaunt made, more common non-void type gilt brass.
Top Middle: A darkened bronze, semi-solid Cap or Collar badge. Note the void around the shield to center. This feature appears on early badges only (and maybe continued on Officers).
Middle Row: Gaunt made, gilt brass Cap and or Collar badges to the 10th with the scarce void area around the shield.
Bottom Row: Gaunt made, more common non-void type gilt brass.
11th (Taranaki Rifles) Infantry Regiment.
The 11th (Taranaki Rifles), was, like all the rest formed in 1911. Its is still a bit of a mystery how the badges of the Regiment evolved and what was worn early on.
Opposite Top and 2nd Row: So far, research has not found out when these 3 badges appeared. We can presume that it was early on, but the "4th Battalion Wellington (Taranaki Rifles) Regiment" title doesn't fit with anything known. It was worn as both a Cap or Collar badge. All are made by "J R Gaunt, London". A suppliers mistake at the time? They certainly show wear, so maybe issued until the below arrived.
3rd and 4th Row's: Cap and or Collar badge in gilt brass to the Regiment. All three are made by Gaunt of London and was their standard badge for WW1.
Opposite Top and 2nd Row: So far, research has not found out when these 3 badges appeared. We can presume that it was early on, but the "4th Battalion Wellington (Taranaki Rifles) Regiment" title doesn't fit with anything known. It was worn as both a Cap or Collar badge. All are made by "J R Gaunt, London". A suppliers mistake at the time? They certainly show wear, so maybe issued until the below arrived.
3rd and 4th Row's: Cap and or Collar badge in gilt brass to the Regiment. All three are made by Gaunt of London and was their standard badge for WW1.
More early variation
Top Left: Bronze Officers Cap and or collar badge to the 4th Battalion. Marked J R Gaunt and has two tangs to back.
Top Right: Bronze Officers Cap and or collar badge to the 11th. Note this and the one below, are the scarce version with the Battle Honors, which go back to the New Zealand and Boer Wars. This badge has tangs to back and is marked J R Gaunt
Bottom Center: Enlisted Man's version of the 11th Cap/Collar with Battle Honors.
Top Left: Bronze Officers Cap and or collar badge to the 4th Battalion. Marked J R Gaunt and has two tangs to back.
Top Right: Bronze Officers Cap and or collar badge to the 11th. Note this and the one below, are the scarce version with the Battle Honors, which go back to the New Zealand and Boer Wars. This badge has tangs to back and is marked J R Gaunt
Bottom Center: Enlisted Man's version of the 11th Cap/Collar with Battle Honors.
After WW2 the 11th (Taranaki) Infantry Regiment amalgamated with the 7th (Wellington West Coast Rifles) Infantry Regiment to form the 7th/11th (Wellington West Coast & Taranaki) Regiment. In 1964, they became part of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, and are now a Territorial Force of the RNZIR.
Top Row: Opposing darkened metal to the 7th/11th. Worn today.
Middle Row: Older 1950's/60's style Cap and opposing Collar badge in Gilt brass and White Metal. These badges also come in Anodised two tone Aluminium.
Bottom Row: In 2008 the Regiment celebrated its 150th Anniversary (1858 to 2008) and badges were struck in gilded metal (bottom left), Bronze (not pictured) and Silver (bottom right). The silver are numbered to back. This is number 18.
Top Row: Opposing darkened metal to the 7th/11th. Worn today.
Middle Row: Older 1950's/60's style Cap and opposing Collar badge in Gilt brass and White Metal. These badges also come in Anodised two tone Aluminium.
Bottom Row: In 2008 the Regiment celebrated its 150th Anniversary (1858 to 2008) and badges were struck in gilded metal (bottom left), Bronze (not pictured) and Silver (bottom right). The silver are numbered to back. This is number 18.
12th (Nelson) Infantry Regiment.
The 12th (Nelson) Infantry Cap and Collar badge.
Top Center: A darkened Bronze Officer Cap badge, with two blade tangs to back.
Middle and Bottom Center: Darkened and gilt brass cap and opposing Collar badges to the regiment. All are made by J R Gaunt of London.
Top Center: A darkened Bronze Officer Cap badge, with two blade tangs to back.
Middle and Bottom Center: Darkened and gilt brass cap and opposing Collar badges to the regiment. All are made by J R Gaunt of London.
In 1917, due to losses on the Western Front, part of the 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiment merged with the 12th. On the 13th of April 1917, the title of the 12th was changed to the 12th (Nelson & Marlborough) Regiment. This was reflected in a new badge, which is hard to get.
Top Center: Cap badge to the Nelson & Marlborough.
Center row: Opposing collars
Bottom Center: A unusual probably post WW1 bi-metal Collar badge to the 12th. I have yet to see a Cap and the other side.
In 1923, the 12th merged with the 13th to form the Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regiment. Their combine badge is further down.
Top Center: Cap badge to the Nelson & Marlborough.
Center row: Opposing collars
Bottom Center: A unusual probably post WW1 bi-metal Collar badge to the 12th. I have yet to see a Cap and the other side.
In 1923, the 12th merged with the 13th to form the Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regiment. Their combine badge is further down.
13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiment
Formed in 1911, the 13th (North Canterbury) Regiment existed for just a year, before the Regiments title and badge were changed. Opposite are the rarest New Zealand Infantry Badges. The Cap badge was reportedly re-issued to local Cub and Scout groups at the time, and seems more common than the Collar badges.
Top Center: A semi-solid gilt and silver Cap badge by J R Gaunt. Sadly its missing the silver feather over-lay to upper center.
Middle Row: A pair of white metal and brass collar badge. Note the right has been painted with black on the feather. This is how they would have looked, when issued, but is not original. The left is as you find them now.
Bottom Center: A die stamped Gilt brass and white metal Cap badge. Both this Cap and the Collars have a Gaunt plaque to back.
Top Center: A semi-solid gilt and silver Cap badge by J R Gaunt. Sadly its missing the silver feather over-lay to upper center.
Middle Row: A pair of white metal and brass collar badge. Note the right has been painted with black on the feather. This is how they would have looked, when issued, but is not original. The left is as you find them now.
Bottom Center: A die stamped Gilt brass and white metal Cap badge. Both this Cap and the Collars have a Gaunt plaque to back.
In January 1912, the 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiment was formed, and they used the opposite Cap and Collar badges until 1923 (in theory). All are gilt brass with white metal numbers soldered at 4 points on the frame. These three have the J R Gaunt of London plaque to back.
In 1923, the 12th (Nelson & Marlborough) Infantry Regiment merged with the 13th to form the Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regiment. At time the badges opposite were deeply unpopular with both regiments, and they continued to wear the 12th (Nelson - not Nelson and Marlborough) and 13th (North Canterbury & Westland) badges.
After WW2, it was mandated that the Regiment (the Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast) wear the new badge. They amalgamated with the Canterbury Regiment in 1964 and became the 2nd Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
Left: Die Stamped gilt brass Cap badge to the 12th & 13th. Rough strike, but does not appear to have ever been issued with similar collars.
Top Row, Right: Gilt Fired Kings Crowned versions of the 12th & 13th Cap and Collar badges. Note the Collar worn on the left (depicting the stag facing the same way as the Cap badge) is impossible to get. Very few seem to have been made.
Bottom Row, Right: Gilt Fired Queens Crowned versions of the 12th & 13th Cap and Collar badges.
After WW2, it was mandated that the Regiment (the Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast) wear the new badge. They amalgamated with the Canterbury Regiment in 1964 and became the 2nd Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
Left: Die Stamped gilt brass Cap badge to the 12th & 13th. Rough strike, but does not appear to have ever been issued with similar collars.
Top Row, Right: Gilt Fired Kings Crowned versions of the 12th & 13th Cap and Collar badges. Note the Collar worn on the left (depicting the stag facing the same way as the Cap badge) is impossible to get. Very few seem to have been made.
Bottom Row, Right: Gilt Fired Queens Crowned versions of the 12th & 13th Cap and Collar badges.
14th (South Otago) Infantry Regiment.
The 14th (South Otago) Infantry Regiment Cap and Collar badges. Formed in 1911, it merged with the 8th (Southland) Infantry Regiment in 1921 to become The Southland Regiment.
Cap badge comes in two types
Top Row: Die stamped, gilt brass with Gaunt plaques to back.
Bottom Row: Non-void locally NZ made version in again die stamped brass. Not maker marked.
Cap badge comes in two types
Top Row: Die stamped, gilt brass with Gaunt plaques to back.
Bottom Row: Non-void locally NZ made version in again die stamped brass. Not maker marked.
Some variations:
Top Row: A bronze Officers Cap badge to the 14th. Tangs to back, but both have been broken off.
Bottom Row: Right is a silver (not marked) collar badge (with lugs). Fair amount of wear to front, so I know that its not plated. The Gaunt plaqued Collar on the left is for comparison.
Top Row: A bronze Officers Cap badge to the 14th. Tangs to back, but both have been broken off.
Bottom Row: Right is a silver (not marked) collar badge (with lugs). Fair amount of wear to front, so I know that its not plated. The Gaunt plaqued Collar on the left is for comparison.
15th (North Auckland) Infantry Regiment.
The 15th (North Auckland) Cap and Collar Badges.
Top Row: A darkened brass, Officers Cap badge, solid, with tangs and a matching Officers bronze collar badge. Both are impressed to J R Gaunt of London.
Middle Row: A die stamped, gilt brass set with Gaunt plaques to back.
Bottom Row: A gilt fired brass Collar badge. A Cap was also issued in this finish, but it is eluding me at the moment.
Top Row: A darkened brass, Officers Cap badge, solid, with tangs and a matching Officers bronze collar badge. Both are impressed to J R Gaunt of London.
Middle Row: A die stamped, gilt brass set with Gaunt plaques to back.
Bottom Row: A gilt fired brass Collar badge. A Cap was also issued in this finish, but it is eluding me at the moment.
In 1951, the Regiment was renamed to the 15th (Northland) Regiment, and a Queens crown only Cap and collar badge was issued.
Top Row: A gilt fired set of badges
Bottom Row: A gilt brass Cap badge. It seems no corresponding collars were issued with this finish.
Top Row: A gilt fired set of badges
Bottom Row: A gilt brass Cap badge. It seems no corresponding collars were issued with this finish.
16th (Waikato) Infantry Regiment.
The 16th (Waikato) Infantry Regiment Cap and Collar badges
Top Row: A Officers Bronze Cap and Collar badge made by J R Gaunt of London. The Cap badge is tanged or bladed to back.
Bottom Row: A gilt brass (now darkened) Cap and opposing Collar badge pair to the 16th. All are Gaunt plaqued to back.
Top Row: A Officers Bronze Cap and Collar badge made by J R Gaunt of London. The Cap badge is tanged or bladed to back.
Bottom Row: A gilt brass (now darkened) Cap and opposing Collar badge pair to the 16th. All are Gaunt plaqued to back.
Some Variations:
Left: Darkened Cap badge with slider.
Right: Rare bi-metal Gilt fired brass and silver Cap badge to the regiment.
The regiment was absorbed into the 1st Armoured Regiment in 1950, but apparently a Queens crown version of the cap was made by mistake. I have yet to see one for sale.
Left: Darkened Cap badge with slider.
Right: Rare bi-metal Gilt fired brass and silver Cap badge to the regiment.
The regiment was absorbed into the 1st Armoured Regiment in 1950, but apparently a Queens crown version of the cap was made by mistake. I have yet to see one for sale.
17th (Ruahine) Infantry Regiment.
The 17th (Ruahine) Infantry Regiment. The Ruahine existed as a Volunteer unit based around Wellington prior to 1911. Its members were absorbed into the four Wellington Area Regiments when the New Zealand Army was established in 1911.
In early 1914 approval was given to establish the 17th (Ruahine) Infantry Regiment. Recruiting began, and its members boarded with the main body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, when it left NZ's shores in October 1914. There is some doubts on whether the unit actually had a badge by this time.
In Egypt, the Sultan gifted the Regiment its first sets of badges as a thank you from the Egyptian nation. Issued to the men at the time, was the British Sun hat, and gift included a large badge to fit the hat. This is unique, as no other NZ Regiment was issued with a Sun hat badge.
Top: Bronze Officers semi-solid Cap or Collar badge (they were worn as either).
In early 1914 approval was given to establish the 17th (Ruahine) Infantry Regiment. Recruiting began, and its members boarded with the main body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, when it left NZ's shores in October 1914. There is some doubts on whether the unit actually had a badge by this time.
In Egypt, the Sultan gifted the Regiment its first sets of badges as a thank you from the Egyptian nation. Issued to the men at the time, was the British Sun hat, and gift included a large badge to fit the hat. This is unique, as no other NZ Regiment was issued with a Sun hat badge.
Top: Bronze Officers semi-solid Cap or Collar badge (they were worn as either).
Above Left: Gilt Brass Enlistedman's Sun Hat Helmet Badge. It has a small J R Gaunt plaque to center back.
Above Right: Darkened Bronze, semi-solid Officers Sun Hat Helmet Badge, and again marked to J R Gaunt of London.
Bottom Row: Gilt brass Cap or Collars to the 17th. All are J R Gaunt of London marked to back.
The regiment was absorbed into the 9th (Hawkes Bay) Infantry Regiment in 1923. But they reformed in 1941 and served with the 3rd New Zealand Division in the Pacific.
Above Right: Darkened Bronze, semi-solid Officers Sun Hat Helmet Badge, and again marked to J R Gaunt of London.
Bottom Row: Gilt brass Cap or Collars to the 17th. All are J R Gaunt of London marked to back.
The regiment was absorbed into the 9th (Hawkes Bay) Infantry Regiment in 1923. But they reformed in 1941 and served with the 3rd New Zealand Division in the Pacific.
Above & Opposite: A puggaree to fit the Lemon Squeezer hat to the New Zealand Infantry. Khaki/Scarlet/Khaki. Marked to inside to 332213 Ramsey H.G. , with size in purple ink to "7 7/8".
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New Zealand Mounted Rifle Regiments
Like their Infantry counterparts, the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Regiments were all formed in 1911, mainly from pre-existing Volunteer Mounted Rifle units. Unlike the Infantry, very few survived passed WW2, just due to changes in warfare and technology. Most New Zealand MR units did though, play a significant role in the Middle East, while the Otago Mounted Rifle Regiments also fought on the Western Front during WW1 as Infantry.
1st (Canterbury) Mounted Rifles.
Cap and Collar badges to the 1st (Canterbury) Mounted Rifles.
Top Row: Gaunt plaqued set of Cap and collar. Note the center top of the "Y", with its continuous bar across the top. A design feature of Gaunt made badges.
Bottom Row Left: Locally made New Zealand example, note they top of the "Y" has a space in the middle.
Bottom Row Middle: Bronze, semi-solid Officers collar, impressed with the details for J R Gaunt.
Bottom Row Right: A semi-solid gilt fired version with J R Gaunt of London impressed to back.
Top Row: Gaunt plaqued set of Cap and collar. Note the center top of the "Y", with its continuous bar across the top. A design feature of Gaunt made badges.
Bottom Row Left: Locally made New Zealand example, note they top of the "Y" has a space in the middle.
Bottom Row Middle: Bronze, semi-solid Officers collar, impressed with the details for J R Gaunt.
Bottom Row Right: A semi-solid gilt fired version with J R Gaunt of London impressed to back.
2nd (Wellington, West Coast) Mounted Rifles.
The badge of the 2nd Queen Alexandra's (Wellington, West Coast) Mounted Rifles, where during WW1 and WW2 worn as both Cap badge and Collar. The badge is still worn today, and there is some variation in both composition and design. Today's version also now has collar sized badges.
Top Center: A darkened Bronze version of the Cap badge for a Officer, with tangs to back. Maker marked to Bock of Wellington.
Middle and Bottom Row: A Gaunt plaqued set in darkened brass.
Top Center: A darkened Bronze version of the Cap badge for a Officer, with tangs to back. Maker marked to Bock of Wellington.
Middle and Bottom Row: A Gaunt plaqued set in darkened brass.
A Cap and Collar badge set to Queen Alexandra's Squadron, Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps. It is part of the 2nd Armoured Regiment.
3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles.
For a brief period after 1911, the 3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles wore these badges, before the pattern or style passed to the 11th (North Auckland) Mounted Rifles.
Top Row: A pair of white metal and gilt brass collar badges (but note the right badge was also worn as a Cap badge) to the 3rd. The left has a coat of lacquer applied, which has yellowed with age.
Bottom Row: A gilt fired brass and silver example of a Cap or Collar to the 3rd.
Top Row: A pair of white metal and gilt brass collar badges (but note the right badge was also worn as a Cap badge) to the 3rd. The left has a coat of lacquer applied, which has yellowed with age.
Bottom Row: A gilt fired brass and silver example of a Cap or Collar to the 3rd.
Cap and Collar badges to the 3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles.
Top Row: a Gaunt made Cap and Collar badge set in gilt brass.
Bottom Left: A locally made gilt brass Cap badge to the 3rd. Apparently this was the first version, before the Gaunt produced ones were issued. It has a slider to back.
Bottom Right: A darkened Bronze, semi solid collar badge for a Officer, made by J R Gaunt of London.
Top Row: a Gaunt made Cap and Collar badge set in gilt brass.
Bottom Left: A locally made gilt brass Cap badge to the 3rd. Apparently this was the first version, before the Gaunt produced ones were issued. It has a slider to back.
Bottom Right: A darkened Bronze, semi solid collar badge for a Officer, made by J R Gaunt of London.
Opposite: A rare, gilt fired cap badge to the 3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles. Superb detail to front, with a maker mark impressed to back to "J R Gaunt, London".
4th (Waikato) Mounted Rifles.
The 4th (Waikato) Mounted Rifles Cap and Collar badges.
Top Row: A Officers Bronze set of Cap and Collar badges. All are semi-solid and impressed with the maker details of J R Gaunt. Note the Cap badge is tanged to back, while the Collars have lugs. One collar has three lugs, while the other has 2 at the base.
Bottom Row: a Gilt brass Cap and Collar set, die stamped and made by J R Gaunt of London.
Top Row: A Officers Bronze set of Cap and Collar badges. All are semi-solid and impressed with the maker details of J R Gaunt. Note the Cap badge is tanged to back, while the Collars have lugs. One collar has three lugs, while the other has 2 at the base.
Bottom Row: a Gilt brass Cap and Collar set, die stamped and made by J R Gaunt of London.
A variation of the 4th (Waikato) Mounted Rifles Cap badge. Issued with a hook to hold back the flap of a slouched hat, these are rare and considered a mistake by the manufacturer, as the slouch hat was not immediately adopted by the NZ Mounted Rifles, and then when it was, they wore the Cap badge to the front, and used poppers to hold back the side of the hat, and not the badge.
Maker plaqued to J R Gaunt to back, and with a single screw post, nut and washer to back.
Maker plaqued to J R Gaunt to back, and with a single screw post, nut and washer to back.
5th (Otago Hussars) Mounted Rifles.
A early Cap badge issued to the 5th (Otago Hussars) Mounted Rifles. Note it says "1st Regt. Otago M.R." in circular banner to center. Comes in both Cap badge and also Pouch Badge, with the later having screw posts instead of lugs.
This badge was only worn for a short time after formation in 1911.
This badge was only worn for a short time after formation in 1911.
Cap and Collar Badges to the 5th (Otago Hussars) Mounted Rifles.
Top Row: Shows the difference in the 1st and 2nd Pattern of cap badges. The 1st pattern (on the left) is based on the design for the "1st Regt. Otago M.R." badge, with a rounded crown and fine leafed wreath. A scarce badge to find, with this example being darkened. The 2nd pattern, on the right has a more angular crown and broader leafed wreath. Both are bi-metal, with white metal center and gilt brass wreath. Both are made by J R Gaunt of London.
Bottom Row: A pair of Gilt Brass and White Metal collars to the 5th. Both are J R Gaunt of London made.
Top Row: Shows the difference in the 1st and 2nd Pattern of cap badges. The 1st pattern (on the left) is based on the design for the "1st Regt. Otago M.R." badge, with a rounded crown and fine leafed wreath. A scarce badge to find, with this example being darkened. The 2nd pattern, on the right has a more angular crown and broader leafed wreath. Both are bi-metal, with white metal center and gilt brass wreath. Both are made by J R Gaunt of London.
Bottom Row: A pair of Gilt Brass and White Metal collars to the 5th. Both are J R Gaunt of London made.
Variations on the 5th NZMR badges.
Top Center: A all brass version of the Cap badge. This has had a darkened finish applied
Bottom Row: A pair of darkened Bronze Officers Collar badges, made by J R Gaunt of London. Again, single piece only.
Top Center: A all brass version of the Cap badge. This has had a darkened finish applied
Bottom Row: A pair of darkened Bronze Officers Collar badges, made by J R Gaunt of London. Again, single piece only.
6th (Manawatu) Mounted Rifles.
Cap and Collar badges to the 6th (Manawatu) Mounted Rifles.
Top Left: Officers Bronze Cap badge with tangs to back. Made by J R Gaunt of London.
Top Right and Bottom Row: Gilt brass Cap and collar set to the 6th. Now a dark tone. All have J R Gaunt of London plaque to back.
Top Left: Officers Bronze Cap badge with tangs to back. Made by J R Gaunt of London.
Top Right and Bottom Row: Gilt brass Cap and collar set to the 6th. Now a dark tone. All have J R Gaunt of London plaque to back.
7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles.
Cap and collar badges to the 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles.
Top Row: A bronze Officers Cap and collar badge. The Cap is marked to J R Gaunt to back and has tangs. The collar is unmarked.
Bottom Row: A Gaunt plaqued Cap and collar set to the 7th in Gilt brass finish. Note the Cap badge is very similar in size to the right collar. Caution needs to be taken when purchasing, especially if you think you are buying a Cap and its turns out to be a Collar Badge.
Top Row: A bronze Officers Cap and collar badge. The Cap is marked to J R Gaunt to back and has tangs. The collar is unmarked.
Bottom Row: A Gaunt plaqued Cap and collar set to the 7th in Gilt brass finish. Note the Cap badge is very similar in size to the right collar. Caution needs to be taken when purchasing, especially if you think you are buying a Cap and its turns out to be a Collar Badge.
Variation to the 7th badges. This is a locally NZ made set and has a non-void part to base of badge. All have copper wire loops to back.
8th (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles.
A darkened Bronze set of Officers Cap and collar badges to the 8th (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles. All are semi-solid and impressed with the maker details of J R Gaunt of London. The Cap badge has tangs to back, which the Collar badges have D shaped copper lugs.
Top Row: A scarce large version of the gilt brass Cap badge. The below version is the standard size. Large version has makers plaque of J R Gaunt to back. Not often seen and unsure why these were made.
Bottom Row: Gilt brass Cap and collar badges to the 8th. Note the Cap has had a subduing paint applied over the gilt finish. All have J R Gaunt plaque to back.
Bottom Row: Gilt brass Cap and collar badges to the 8th. Note the Cap has had a subduing paint applied over the gilt finish. All have J R Gaunt plaque to back.
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Above, Right and Opposite: A chance find by my Dad in the 1980's in a local Timaru, New Zealand household sale.
A 1918 dated, British made, wear-home hat to a Trooper in the 8th (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles.
Note the unit patch to both sides of the Puggaree (cloth band in Khaki/Green/Khaki - Colours for the New Zealand Mounted Rifles). All NZ Mounted Rifle units were allowed from 1917, to wear a unit distinguish patch to their hat.
This Black and White patch is to the 8th.
Maker marked to inside to "Hall & Phillips Ltd, Army Contractors, Nuneaton, 1918.
A 1918 dated, British made, wear-home hat to a Trooper in the 8th (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles.
Note the unit patch to both sides of the Puggaree (cloth band in Khaki/Green/Khaki - Colours for the New Zealand Mounted Rifles). All NZ Mounted Rifle units were allowed from 1917, to wear a unit distinguish patch to their hat.
This Black and White patch is to the 8th.
Maker marked to inside to "Hall & Phillips Ltd, Army Contractors, Nuneaton, 1918.
9th (Wellington East Coast) Mounted Rifles Regiment.
A selection of Cap and Collar badges to the 9th (Wellington East Coast) Mounted Rifles Regiment.
Top Row: Is a Gaunt plaqued set of gilt brass Cap and Collar badges. The design of this badge was also used in some Mounted Reinforcement badges during WW1.
Bottom Row: A slider version with the maker mark of Firmn to back. Note the slightly larger proportions of the badge to the Gaunt type above.
Top Row: Is a Gaunt plaqued set of gilt brass Cap and Collar badges. The design of this badge was also used in some Mounted Reinforcement badges during WW1.
Bottom Row: A slider version with the maker mark of Firmn to back. Note the slightly larger proportions of the badge to the Gaunt type above.
A Officers set in Bronze to the 9th. The Cap has two blades or tangs fitted to back, while the Collars have D shaped looped lugs. All are darkened, but one collar has been polished, and its finish removed.
10th (Nelson) Mounted Rifles Regiment.
Cap and Collar badges to the 10th (Nelson) Mounted Rifles.
Top Row: A Gaunt plaqued set to the 10th. Noted the right collar (when worn, so the stag facing the opposite direction as the Cap badge) is extremely hard to find. There are stories that only a few runs of this collar were made, and then the men took to wearing two left collars. Certainly I have examples of Cast Brass versions, maybe to locally fix the issue in Egypt and the middle East, which is where they were deployed in WW1.
Bottom Row: A Officers bronze Cap badge with a darken finish and two blades or tangs to back.
Top Row: A Gaunt plaqued set to the 10th. Noted the right collar (when worn, so the stag facing the opposite direction as the Cap badge) is extremely hard to find. There are stories that only a few runs of this collar were made, and then the men took to wearing two left collars. Certainly I have examples of Cast Brass versions, maybe to locally fix the issue in Egypt and the middle East, which is where they were deployed in WW1.
Bottom Row: A Officers bronze Cap badge with a darken finish and two blades or tangs to back.
11th (North Auckland) Mounted Rifles Regiment.
Cap and Collar badges to the 11th (North Auckland) Mounted Rifles. The badge design is based on a Volunteer unit badge, worth by the then 3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles, which was of the same size.
Top Row: A selection of Cap and collar badges to the 11th. Note the Cap and Collars are the same size and are produced by Gaunt and local NZ manufactures. You do get a slight variation in the Boer's head size to center of badge, and this top row highlights a left and right Collar with small Boers head, while a large type is to center.
Middle Row: A selection of same sized Cap and Collars. Note the center badge has a subdued finish to the Boer and top banner.
Bottom Row: Left - A gilt brass and Silver bordered Collar with the impressed details of J R Gaunt of London to back.
Bottom Row: Right - A Cap or Collar in Sandcast Brass. This also has a impression of a Gaunt plaque to back. Possible manufactured in Egypt during WW1.
Top Row: A selection of Cap and collar badges to the 11th. Note the Cap and Collars are the same size and are produced by Gaunt and local NZ manufactures. You do get a slight variation in the Boer's head size to center of badge, and this top row highlights a left and right Collar with small Boers head, while a large type is to center.
Middle Row: A selection of same sized Cap and Collars. Note the center badge has a subdued finish to the Boer and top banner.
Bottom Row: Left - A gilt brass and Silver bordered Collar with the impressed details of J R Gaunt of London to back.
Bottom Row: Right - A Cap or Collar in Sandcast Brass. This also has a impression of a Gaunt plaque to back. Possible manufactured in Egypt during WW1.
12th (Otago) Mounted Rifles Regiment.
Cap and Collars to the 12th (Otago) Mounted Rifles.
Top Row: J R Gaunt plaqued Cap and collars to the 12th in Gilt Brass.
Bottom Row: A locally made Cap badge to the 12th. Note it has a non-void section to center of badge. Maybe for extra strength or just a time saving/cost measure.
Top Row: J R Gaunt plaqued Cap and collars to the 12th in Gilt Brass.
Bottom Row: A locally made Cap badge to the 12th. Note it has a non-void section to center of badge. Maybe for extra strength or just a time saving/cost measure.
A non-void Cap and collar set to the 12th. Again, locally made in New Zealand.
WW1 New Zealand Camel Corps.
The New Zealand Battalion of the Camel Corps formed in July of 1916, from men of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles. They operated in Egypt, the Sinai Desert and Jordan Valley during 1917 and 1918. This sndcast original badge is a extremely rare, and it wasn't until recently, that photographic evidence was found, showing this badge being worn at the time. It has been repeatedly faked over the years, and great caution needs to be taken when purchasing. Most fakes, esp from the 1990's don't replicate the colour of the sandcast brass, i.e. are too bright. Also, the cast, taken from a original badge, are just ever so slightly smaller in size to the original examples. The fakes also get the back and lugs wrong.
New Zealand Onwards Badge
The New Zealand Onwards badge could probably have its own book written on it. Its history is very complicated and dates pre-WW1 with its connection to the Royal Naval Ship HMS New Zealand. During the outbreak of WW1, the British Section of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force formed in England. For many years, people attributed a Oak leafed version of the Onwards badge to this very small force of about 200 men in 1914. Reality is, it probably is just a manufacturers variation, whereby the fern's fronds look more "oak leaf" like than fern.
Top Row: Tow Cap badge, the Left with lugs and the Right with a slider with the "Oak Leaf" wreath or border. Both are in Brass.
Bottom Row: What photographic evidence we do have of the "British Section: of the N.Z.E.F is that they wore a small badge on their Cap. More collar size in proportion. These three collars display the "Oak Leaf" fronds. The Left and middle collar are marked Tiptaft, London to back.
Top Row: Tow Cap badge, the Left with lugs and the Right with a slider with the "Oak Leaf" wreath or border. Both are in Brass.
Bottom Row: What photographic evidence we do have of the "British Section: of the N.Z.E.F is that they wore a small badge on their Cap. More collar size in proportion. These three collars display the "Oak Leaf" fronds. The Left and middle collar are marked Tiptaft, London to back.
Interwar, the Onwards badge continued to be produced, and again with some variation. The cap badge on the Left, shows a WW1 Expeditionary Force Cap badge, worn as a generic Reinforcement badge from the 34th infantry Reinforcements and thereafter. The Cap badge on the right, is a early Onwards badge, but with a similar wide frame as its WW1 Reinforcement counterpart.
Here is a selection of darkened Bronze Officers Hat and collar badges.
Top Left: A unmarked Bronze Officers Cap badge with blades or tangs to back.
Top Right: Aunmarked Bronze Officers Cap badge with slider.
Bottom Row: A Pair of Officers Bronze Collar badges, unmarked and with looped lugs to back.
Top Left: A unmarked Bronze Officers Cap badge with blades or tangs to back.
Top Right: Aunmarked Bronze Officers Cap badge with slider.
Bottom Row: A Pair of Officers Bronze Collar badges, unmarked and with looped lugs to back.
A selection of brass and copper Onwards Cap badges. This is just a small sample of a large range of variations encountered with this badge.
Top Left: A Gaunt plaqued Onwards badge. Hard to find, as this London based manufacturer didn't make many of these badges.
Middle Top: A Mayer and Kean made example. They were based in Wellington, and to back of some of there badges are their initials of "M & K, W" and sometimes a year date, like "44" for 1944. This is found on the ends of the banner at the base of the badge, on the back.
Top Right: A middle Eastern made, cast brass cap badge with ribbon like slider to back.
Bottom Left: A darkened copper Cap badge with lugs
Bottom Middle: Same again, but different style
Bottom Right: Die Stamped brass cap badge with brass slider to back. It also has a reinforcing wire to back base of crown and tops of fern wreath border.
Top Left: A Gaunt plaqued Onwards badge. Hard to find, as this London based manufacturer didn't make many of these badges.
Middle Top: A Mayer and Kean made example. They were based in Wellington, and to back of some of there badges are their initials of "M & K, W" and sometimes a year date, like "44" for 1944. This is found on the ends of the banner at the base of the badge, on the back.
Top Right: A middle Eastern made, cast brass cap badge with ribbon like slider to back.
Bottom Left: A darkened copper Cap badge with lugs
Bottom Middle: Same again, but different style
Bottom Right: Die Stamped brass cap badge with brass slider to back. It also has a reinforcing wire to back base of crown and tops of fern wreath border.
Like the Cap badge, the Collar also has much variation in style and lugs used.
Here are 4 pairs of Collars.
Far Left Pair: A rounded frame with D shaped copper looped lugs to back.
Pair Second from the Left: Solid to back, and again with D shaped lugs
Pair Second from the Right: Die Stamped gilt brass, with D shaped copper looped lugs
Far Right: Die Stamped gilt brass, but with brass hex type flat lugs to back.
Here are 4 pairs of Collars.
Far Left Pair: A rounded frame with D shaped copper looped lugs to back.
Pair Second from the Left: Solid to back, and again with D shaped lugs
Pair Second from the Right: Die Stamped gilt brass, with D shaped copper looped lugs
Far Right: Die Stamped gilt brass, but with brass hex type flat lugs to back.
At some stage in the 1950's the New Zealand Army re-introduced the Onwards badge for Ceremonial occations, to be worn on the Lemon-squeezer on a red pugaree (cloth hat band). This was to be worn by the Honor Guard, which meet visiting dignitaries and heads of state.
Top Center: Initial Honor Guard badges post 1952 are actually King Crowned badges, which have had the crown removed and a Queens Crown soldered in place.
Bottom Row: Two of the current styled Queens Crowned Cap badges in gilt metal. Solid backed, they come either with pins and clutch fasteners or with screw posts and nuts.
Top Row, Either Side: A pair of matching Gilt metal Onwards collars. Pin and Clutch fastener fittings to back.
Top Center: Initial Honor Guard badges post 1952 are actually King Crowned badges, which have had the crown removed and a Queens Crown soldered in place.
Bottom Row: Two of the current styled Queens Crowned Cap badges in gilt metal. Solid backed, they come either with pins and clutch fasteners or with screw posts and nuts.
Top Row, Either Side: A pair of matching Gilt metal Onwards collars. Pin and Clutch fastener fittings to back.
Above: A New Zealand Officer Cadets Belt Buckle. This pattern was introduced in 1976, and re-introduced the Kings Crown Onwards Badge, which was "on loan" from the 2nd NZEF (1939 to 45) and J Force (1946/47). Maker marked to back to "Hobson & Sons (London) Ltd".
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Above: A current version of the New Zealand Officer Cadets Belt Buckle. To center is a Queens crown Onwards badge. This slightly worn example has no maker mark.
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The New Zealand Regiment
The 1st Battalion of the New Zealand Regiment was formed on the 9th of Jan 1947.
Left: A Officers gilt brass, enamel and Silver Cap badge. Multi pieced, with two long looped copper lugs to back. Maker marked to J R Gaunt of London.
Right: A nicely struck, gilt brass Cap badge by J R Gaunt of London.
Left: A Officers gilt brass, enamel and Silver Cap badge. Multi pieced, with two long looped copper lugs to back. Maker marked to J R Gaunt of London.
Right: A nicely struck, gilt brass Cap badge by J R Gaunt of London.
Variation in style of Cap and collar badges to the New Zealand Regiment.
Top Row: Gilt brass, solid backed Cap and collar badges to the regiment. Small than the above type and different style. Note the Cap to top center is the same as the right collar (when worn), except that it has much longer lugs to back.
Bottom Row: Referred to as the 'rough strike" these Cap and collars are die stamped brass, with gilt wash. Cap and right collar (when worn) are the same, i.e. no difference in lug length to back, unlike the above.
Top Row: Gilt brass, solid backed Cap and collar badges to the regiment. Small than the above type and different style. Note the Cap to top center is the same as the right collar (when worn), except that it has much longer lugs to back.
Bottom Row: Referred to as the 'rough strike" these Cap and collars are die stamped brass, with gilt wash. Cap and right collar (when worn) are the same, i.e. no difference in lug length to back, unlike the above.
With change the of monarch in 1952, the New Zealand Regiment updated its badge with the Queens Crown.
Top Left: Officers Gilt fired brass, with enamel and silver or silver plated Kiwi to center.
Top Right: A silver anodised aluminium Other Ranks cap badge.
Bottom Left: A silver plate and gilt brass collar badge pair of Bayonets, worn by the Regiment. These are two piece and made by J R Gaunt of London.
Bottom Right: A anodised aluminium pair of Bayonet collars. Not that both types are opposing, with handles and tips of blade indicating which collar they should be worn on. These are two tone, single piece, with pins to back and held onto the uniform collar with a clutch.
Top Left: Officers Gilt fired brass, with enamel and silver or silver plated Kiwi to center.
Top Right: A silver anodised aluminium Other Ranks cap badge.
Bottom Left: A silver plate and gilt brass collar badge pair of Bayonets, worn by the Regiment. These are two piece and made by J R Gaunt of London.
Bottom Right: A anodised aluminium pair of Bayonet collars. Not that both types are opposing, with handles and tips of blade indicating which collar they should be worn on. These are two tone, single piece, with pins to back and held onto the uniform collar with a clutch.
In 1964, the New Zealand Regiment was awarded the prefix "Royal" to their title. This meant the change of badge to.
Top Left: A 2 piece, 4 tone, anodised aluminium Cap Badge.
Bottom Left: A pair of 2 piece anodised aluminium collars. Note opposing Kiwi's. These collars are getting harder to find and are associated with New Zealand's service in Vietnam. They have pin fittings to back, and are very prone to breaking, so finding a complete opposing set is near impossible.
Right: A Helmet Plate Badge in metal to the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment's Band. They wore these on Home Service Style British helmets. The badge has two lugs to back and is numbered.
Top Left: A 2 piece, 4 tone, anodised aluminium Cap Badge.
Bottom Left: A pair of 2 piece anodised aluminium collars. Note opposing Kiwi's. These collars are getting harder to find and are associated with New Zealand's service in Vietnam. They have pin fittings to back, and are very prone to breaking, so finding a complete opposing set is near impossible.
Right: A Helmet Plate Badge in metal to the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment's Band. They wore these on Home Service Style British helmets. The badge has two lugs to back and is numbered.
Above: The current version of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment's Cap badge, but in bullion for Officers, to be worn on a Beret. No maker mark to back.
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Above: The current version of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment's Cap badge in 2 piece metal, with enamel to center. No maker mark to back.
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WW2 Home Guard Badges
During WW2, New Zealand looked to defend its shores against possible invasion from Japan. Many of the veterans from WW1 re-enlisted to do their bit again, but were by this stage in their 50's.
To old to be sent overseas, they instead formed the New Zealand National Military Reserve or local Home Guard Units.
Opposite Top: Some of the old Soldiers had served in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade during WW1. So some of the Home Guard units adopted their old badge in WW2 as homage to their old unit. These two badges have a WW2 Onwards badge as a backing, which has had a NZRB Cap badge sweated to front. Just different strikes of NZRB to each.
Opposite Bottom: The New Zealand Home Guard Badge in two different versions, with and without bars to edge. Made by "M & K, W" or Mayer and Keane, Wellington.
To old to be sent overseas, they instead formed the New Zealand National Military Reserve or local Home Guard Units.
Opposite Top: Some of the old Soldiers had served in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade during WW1. So some of the Home Guard units adopted their old badge in WW2 as homage to their old unit. These two badges have a WW2 Onwards badge as a backing, which has had a NZRB Cap badge sweated to front. Just different strikes of NZRB to each.
Opposite Bottom: The New Zealand Home Guard Badge in two different versions, with and without bars to edge. Made by "M & K, W" or Mayer and Keane, Wellington.
Shoulder Titles
Opposite is a selection of New Zealand Rifle shoulder titles, worn from WW1 and into the 1930's by the New Zealand Infantry Regiments.
Top Pair: A gilt brass pair of shoulder titles to the New Zealand Rifles. Both have hex lugs to back and are maker marked to "J R Gaunt, London".
Center: A brass shoulder title to the New Zealand Rifles. Made by "Stokes & Sons, Melb" to back. Looped lugs.
Bottom Pair: A locally made NZ brass pair to the New Zealand Rifles. No maker mark, and wire lugs to back.
Top Pair: A gilt brass pair of shoulder titles to the New Zealand Rifles. Both have hex lugs to back and are maker marked to "J R Gaunt, London".
Center: A brass shoulder title to the New Zealand Rifles. Made by "Stokes & Sons, Melb" to back. Looped lugs.
Bottom Pair: A locally made NZ brass pair to the New Zealand Rifles. No maker mark, and wire lugs to back.
