TOPIC:

THis rather well made sweetheart brooch came my way this afternoon. It has a hallmark for 1899 and from the hat I'm guessing it's Canadian, but as units from other nationalities also wore the 'mountie 'hat , I may be wrong.

Your Pictures...... Mike

I do not think it is Canadian.....

Mike

Mike Rowan
I am certain I have seen a number of variations on the badge/brooch you illustrated. In all the previous examples noted (usually on a certain on-line auction site) the slouch hat has what the Aust Army in my day referred to as a "standard bash"; crease in crown, front to rear. I have not seen such an item before with the "lemon squeezer" bash in the hat. I did see one bearing the initials SALH and also, I recall, another bearing the initials RPR. The latter had an additional motif of a crossed pick-and-shovel. Highly appropriate in that case.
I really should have put in a bid on each!
Regards
IL.

Here is one on ebay in Gold right now:

www.ebay.com item Victorian-9ct-solid-gold-gemstome-set-boer-war-rifle-sweetheart-brooch-1900 / 161702399351

Mike

Mike
Yes, indeed. Doubtless you will have observed the slight differences; rifle has characteristics of a Lee Metford in the case of the gold-and-diamonds item; as well as having a bayonet and loosened sling. The rifle shown in the earlier post has no cut-off notch; however it has a representation of a clearing rod. Perhaps these brooches were meant to be worn by ladies associated with men serving in certain units - and the brooches could be given a motif appropriate to that particular unit.
Regards
IL.