*British, c.1946–1953 Royal Hampshire Regiment Other Ranks Stable Belt – King’s Crown Bi-Metal Cap Badge – Early Brass Two-Lobe Clasp*
An original British Army Royal Hampshire Regiment Other Ranks stable belt retaining its period King’s Crown bi-metal cap badge and early brass two-lobe clasp fitting. This is an attractive mid-20th century example displaying the regiment’s distinctive coloured stripe pattern set against a black ground, complete with brass adjustment slide and original service-worn fittings.
The centre retains a genuine Royal Hampshire Regiment bi-metal cap badge mounted to the folded section of the belt. The badge displays the regiment’s crowned tiger over the Tudor Rose enclosed within a laurel wreath with “ROYAL HAMPSHIRE” title scroll below. The fitting on the reverse is a brass slider type with no visible maker's mark. The Tudor or King’s Crown dates the badge pattern to before the accession of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
The belt itself uses the earlier brass two-lobe Other Ranks clasp arrangement. Surviving references to Royal Hampshire Regiment stable belts identify early OR examples with brass two-lobe clasps before later three-lobe variations appeared. The colours are recorded as black, gold, Kenya red, leaf green and purple.
Approx. Measurements – Length: 101 cm overall (86.5 cm with folded cap badge section to stitched buckle section). Width: 7.3 cm.
History Note:
The Hampshire Regiment originated in 1881 through the amalgamation of the 37th (North Hampshire) Regiment of Foot and 67th (South Hampshire) Regiment of Foot under the Childers reforms. In 1946 it received the distinction “Royal Hampshire Regiment” in recognition of wartime service. The regiment continued in British Army service until 1992 when it was merged into The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.
Stable belts became an important element of regimental identity and informal dress within the British Army, with colour patterns immediately identifying regiment and tradition. The present example is a classic Other Ranks pattern fitted with the earlier brass clasp arrangement and enhanced by the addition of a period King's Crown badge.
*Condition*
Please see photographs as part of the condition report. Service-used example showing age and wear throughout. Brass fittings and badge show age patina and surface wear. Belt material displays scattered marks, light staining, areas of fading and minor fraying. Stitching remains intact and the badge is firmly mounted. A good honest period example with attractive age and character.
JAQ
