Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Anodised Glengarry Badge

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders glengarry badge in anodised aluminium, produced in the pattern worn from 1958 by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) of the British Army. This Scottish line infantry glengarry badge displays the recognised regimental insignia in clear relief, incorporating a wreath of thistles enclosing a circlet inscribed “Argyll and Sutherland”, within which sits the interlaced and reversed cypher “L” of Princess Louise, flanked by a boar’s head to the left and a cat-a-mountain (wildcat) to the right, surmounted by the Princess’s Royal Ducal coronet overlaying the top of the circlet. The composition reflects the heraldic traditions of the regiment and the historic associations of its two predecessor units.

The regiment was formed in 1881 through the amalgamation of the 91st (Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot and the 93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment of Foot under the Childers Reforms, with the badge design created by Princess Louise herself to combine the devices of both families. The thistle wreath derives from the tradition of the 93rd, while the Princess’s cypher and coronet acknowledge her long personal association with the regiment, which bore her name throughout its existence. The glengarry bonnet, on which this badge was worn, was the distinctive headdress of the regiment in both service and ceremonial dress, and the badge design remained unchanged from 1882 until the regiment’s amalgamation into the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006. Anodised aluminium badges of this pattern were introduced in 1958 as a standard issue replacement for white metal, providing improved durability and resistance to tarnish.

Manufactured in anodised aluminium consistent with post-1958 British Army other ranks headdress insignia, this example provides a well-defined representation of the traditional regimental glengarry badge pattern. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders glengarry badges are collected as examples of Scottish Highland regiment militaria, regimental insignia of the Princess Louise’s regiments, and historic headdress hardware of the county regiment era.

Dimensions Approx. 82mm x 61mm

Condition Excellent

Reference Gaylor P. Pl. 15A B-1