Rhodesian Light Infantry Beret

[POFmilitaria]

Good morning everyone, I would like some opinions on this Rhodesian beret.  I bought it at a show a few months ago.  I was told the badge is fake but the beret may be real.  I am not an expert on Rhodesian items so I took a chance on it.  

 

Thanks,

Jacob

[Kia kaha]

I’d say that the beret is real, Rhodesia berets where British made Kangol or Beret Industries manufactured 1950s and 1960s these all had Rhodesian Government stamps SRG or RNG within a triangle on the liner. Berets in the 70s were made in Botswana and the liners were unmarked when new they had a little gold round sticker with the size. Some South African berets were worn but these were private purchase( or made up to sell to collectors),these are usually marked Rifleman with 3 rifles on the liner.

your beret has the correct badge protector flap, unmarked liner, correct colouring, correct vent eyelets except the vinyl surround is missing/removed. Replace the badge and you will be “Lekker ek say my china”(looks good I say my friend) in R.L.I. talk.

one more thing is that most or all troopies were encouraged to rip out the liner when on the recruiting course RLI did held there own courses. So you may have an officers beret so you will need a silver Officers badge. Check behind the badge it may have stg. or silver stamped on it.

As you can see the beret badge lugs has east west orientation, the collar badges used lugs that were positioned north south, but it is not uncommon to see collar badges used as beret badges.

[POFmilitaria]

On 1/15/2022 at 7:53 PM, Kia kaha said:

I’d say that the beret is real, Rhodesia berets where British made Kangol or Beret Industries manufactured 1950s and 1960s these all had Rhodesian Government stamps SRG or RNG within a triangle on the liner. Berets in the 70s were made in Botswana and the liners were unmarked when new they had a little gold round sticker with the size. Some South African berets were worn but these were private purchase( or made up to sell to collectors),these are usually marked Rifleman with 3 rifles on the liner.

your beret has the correct badge protector flap, unmarked liner, correct colouring, correct vent eyelets except the vinyl surround is missing/removed. Replace the badge and you will be “Lekker ek say my china”(looks good I say my friend) in R.L.I. talk.

one more thing is that most or all troopies were encouraged to rip out the liner when on the recruiting course RLI did held there own courses. So you may have an officers beret so you will need a silver Officers badge. Check behind the badge it may have stg. or silver stamped on it.

As you can see the beret badge lugs has east west orientation, the collar badges used lugs that were positioned north south, but it is not uncommon to see collar badges used as beret badges.

Great information.  I appreciate it.  Did they ever make unmarked badges?  The one on mine has no markings I believe, I can get a picture this weekend for another opinion.

 

Jacob

[Kia kaha]

The staybright anodised aluminium badges were unmarked,

The Original Rhodesian Silver Officers badge has the word Silver on the reverse

 

the white metal badges are. Considered fake as none were made in Rhodesia,(probably U.K. made in 1980s).

 

There are sterling silver beret badges that are made for veterans to wear at Remembrance Day parades etc, these aren’t meant to deceive collectors and are hallmarked, these are expensive to make and cost more than originals. These are cast badges not stamped as the originals were and the lugs and badge are one piece. I’ll post pictures when I get to the museum tomorrow.

On 1/20/2022 at 3:05 AM, POFmilitaria said:

Great information.  I appreciate it.  Did they ever make unmarked badges?  The one on mine has no markings I believe, I can get a picture this weekend for another opinion.

 

Jacob

 

[Kia kaha]

This is from Lion and tusk museum website C.Q. Store

[POFmilitaria]

Thank you for the info!  I’m assuming this one is one of the white metal ones?

[Kia kaha]

6 hours ago, POFmilitaria said:

Thank you for the info!  I’m assuming this one is one of the white metal ones?

I think your badge is a cast silver badge, probably  made after 1980 for rememberance days by a R.L.I. vet.

correct Rhodesian made badges are identified by the lugs.( A jeweller can test for silver)

here is a U.K. made badge lug style,

and these are Rhodesian styles

 

comparison, U.K. in the centre 

Anodised aluminium R.L.I. Badge

[Kia kaha]

One more point DONT DISCARD this badge, some silver badges missed the stamping process.

[Kia kaha]

R.L.I. Enlisted ranks beret

[POFmilitaria]

Great Info, thank you!

 

Jacob

[RhodesianMilitaria]

On 1/23/2022 at 6:36 AM, Kia kaha said:

One more point DONT DISCARD this badge, some silver badges missed the stamping process.

The badge is a fake.

On 1/22/2022 at 11:32 PM, POFmilitaria said:

Thank you for the info!  I’m assuming this one is one of the white metal ones?

This badge is a fake. It's cast. Officer's silver badges were struck. Hard to tell on the beret because the colour could be 'different' depending on what light it was photographed in ie outside, in shade, inside with natural light or using artificial light or even flash. Unless you have provenance it's hard to say.

[RhodesianMilitaria]

On 1/22/2022 at 11:32 PM, POFmilitaria said:

Thank you for the info!  I’m assuming this one is one of the white metal ones?

This badge is a fake.

On 1/23/2022 at 6:36 AM, Kia kaha said:

One more point DONT DISCARD this badge, some silver badges missed the stamping process.

Where is the evidence for that?