16th (Queen’s) Royal Lancers Collar Badge (Pre-1905 Pattern)

16th (Queen’s) Royal Lancers collar badge, manufactured to the pre-1905 pattern. This distinctive cavalry badge represents the regimental insignia of the 16th (Queen’s) Royal Lancers, a historic British Army cavalry regiment with a long and distinguished service history.

The 16th (Queen’s) Lancers traced its origins to the late seventeenth century and became the 16th Lancers in the eighteenth century. The regiment subsequently adopted the title 16th (Queen’s) Lancers, reflecting its association with the Sovereign. It served extensively throughout the British Empire and took part in numerous major campaigns during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

This pre-1905 pattern collar badge is of particular interest to collectors because it represents an early form of the regiment’s collar insignia, dating from the period before the introduction of the 1905 pattern. Such distinctions are important when cataloguing British Army badges, as regimental insignia changed in design, construction, and crown type as uniforms were revised.

The badge was worn on the collar of the regiment’s service and dress uniform, providing clear regimental identification. The 16th Lancers’ distinctive traditions and association with cavalry service make its insignia particularly attractive to collectors of British cavalry badges and Victorian military memorabilia.

The regiment saw notable service during the Indian Mutiny, the Second Anglo-Afghan War, the Egyptian campaign, the Second Boer War, and the First World War. Its long operational history provides significant context for surviving examples of its pre-1905 insignia.

An excellent addition to any collection of 16th Queen’s Lancers insignia, British cavalry badges, Victorian military badges, or early twentieth-century British Army regimental memorabilia.

Dimensions

Approx. 42mm × 33mm

Condition

Good original condition, with the bottom of one of the lances unfortunately missing. The badge retains good definition, with minor rubbing and surface marks appropriate to its age. An attractive example of the pre-1905 pattern suitable for collecting, research, or display.