*British, WW2 / Post-War, Royal Engineers Other Ranks Cap Badge – King George VI GVIR – Brass Slider Fitting*
An original British Royal Engineers Other Ranks cap badge featuring the King George VI Royal Cypher (GVIR) beneath the Tudor or King's Crown, produced in die-struck brass with traditional voided construction. The badge measures approximately 4.3cm x 4.8cm and retains its original vertical brass slider fitting to the reverse.
The design follows the long-established Royal Engineers pattern, consisting of a laurel wreath surrounding the Garter belt carrying the motto "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE" ("Shame on him who thinks evil of it"), with the lower scroll proudly displaying "ROYAL ENGINEERS." At the centre sits the crowned GVIR cypher of King George VI, introduced following his accession in 1936 and used throughout the entirety of the Second World War before continuing in service until 1952.
This voided die-struck brass pattern was the standard Other Ranks issue worn by the famous "Sappers", principally on Service Dress caps and later on berets. The brass slider attachment is entirely consistent with wartime production and field wear patterns and remains one of the most common fittings encountered on genuine service-issued badges of the period.
History Note:
The Royal Engineers trace their origins to the Board of Ordnance military engineers and were formally established in 1716. During the Second World War the Corps undertook an enormous variety of tasks including bridge building, demolition, mine clearance, field fortification, tunnelling, bomb disposal and infrastructure construction across every theatre of war. Their unofficial motto, "Ubique" ("Everywhere"), reflected the reality that Royal Engineers units served in virtually every major operation undertaken by the British Army.
*Condition*
Good original service-used condition with an attractive aged brass patina and signs of honest wear commensurate with age. The original slider fitting remains present to the reverse. Areas of light verdigris and age-related surface wear are visible to the reverse and within recessed areas. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RQMAOXAI_2326241668
