Hello Roy,
I had meant to reply quite some time ago and I see I had not done, what a absolute relief we do not appear to have been dismissed from the forum following the (your) infamous Sable antelope thread!
To be quite honest, my thoughts would simply be that if you collect SAMIF these days, the stuff is relatively scarce and only seldom appears for sale, the other drawback are the awful prices now being sought, the badge that is the subject of this thread, for example, had been on the market here, gathering dust for quite some time and was certainly not a bargain.
On the plus side, it is, a fairly scarce little piece, there are a finite number in existence and it is a particularly attractive example that appeals to me, both as a Natal collector, in particular and as someone who is fascinated by the war itself.
From an official point of view, the regiment were known as both the Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment, as well as, simply the Volunteer Composite Regiment and their official motto was "Ad Finem" both this and the word "Natal" were used on their badges and accoutrements, a great many of which were actually made for and retailed here, in Great Britain, via messrs Hobson and Son and certainly not just in South Africa, which, I think, would actually rather surprise a lot of people.
In short, I think it is a very good badge and I would be very pleased with it, if I were you.
Regards Frank
RoyS wrote: Hello Frank,
Thank you for asking and a good question.
I guess the simple answer is 'all of the above', assuming a particular badge 'speaks' to me. I'm certainly open to examples by any nation but find the badges that interest me the most are those unofficial and/or locally made - the sheet brass/wire loop type. See a quick pic attached to show this type.
However I'm quite open and if a more official or professionally made badge catches my eye, I certainly would consider it. I think one of the details I like about these local made examples is that they are really specific to the conflict and demonstrate a real need/desire by the men who wore them.
Cheerio,
Roy
Collecting/wanted ABW insignia if anyone has some spares?
My website:
www.wilkinsonfscollection.com