Assistance with attaching badge to balmoral hat

**thescot** · 13th September 12, 01:11 PM

I don't think anyone mentioned that the Seaforths would have used the MacKenzie tartan for the backer on a tam. It would be sewn down on the left and right side of the backer, I believe. Then the posts would go through both the backer and tam for the cotter pin on the inside to hold it on. Since those badges aren't very heavy, you shouldn't need a stiffener of any kind like the berets Pleater mentioned; they are made from stamped metal, I think.

You have good instructions above for guaging the holes and making them.

You can order a MacKenzie badge backer for five bucks from WPG at http://onlinemilitaria.com/shopexd.asp?id=1759&bc=no

We would love to see photos when you get it all done.

**chewse** · 13th September 12, 01:24 PM

Perfect! When I get it together, I'll include pictures.

**48th Highlander** · 20th September 12, 07:36 PM

Why do you think this is ok?

**48th Highlander** · 20th September 12, 07:40 PM

Why would you wear a Seaforths badge? Pray you never run in to a Seaforth Highlander, Canadian or Scottish. Strap a USMC badge on and see what happens to you in this country. This kind of crap pisses me off. Sorry. There is no defense for it if you did not serve and you did not earn it so why do you feel you can just strap it on?

I am formally from a Highland Regiment, and there is only one day of the year I can wear the badge I earned and that is when parading with the Old Comrades on the Remembrance Day parade. It is entirely insulting that you would turn a badge that represents generations of those who lost their lives just to make a fashion statement!

**Dale-of-Cedars** · 20th September 12, 09:42 PM

On the other hand, both the stag's head and the motto "Cuidich 'n Righ" predate the regiment, as badges of Clan MacKenzie.

If YOU were related to the MacKenzies there might be justification in wearing those two symbols, but nothing else; not the coronet nor the "L" which taken together with the stag and motto are strictly used by the Seaforths.

However you still are liable to run into current or former members of the regiment who see things... differently.

**Jock Scot** · 20th September 12, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by 48th Highlander

Why would you wear a Seaforths badge? Pray you never run in to a Seaforth Highlander, Canadian or Scottish. Strap a USMC badge on and see what happens to you in this country. This kind of crap pisses me off. Sorry. There is no defense for it if you did not serve and you did not earn it so why do you feel you can just strap it on?

I am formally from a Highland Regiment, and there is only one day of the year I can wear the badge I earned and that is when parading with the Old Comrades on the Remembrance Day parade. It is entirely insulting that you would turn a badge that represents generations of those who lost their lives just to make a fashion statement!

Nothing to blush for, Sir. I just wish more people would say what you have said and more often.

**chewse** · 21st September 12, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by 48th Highlander

Why would you wear a Seaforths badge? Pray you never run in to a Seaforth Highlander, Canadian or Scottish. Strap a USMC badge on and see what happens to you in this country. This kind of crap pisses me off. Sorry. There is no defense for it if you did not serve and you did not earn it so why do you feel you can just strap it on?

I am formally from a Highland Regiment, and there is only one day of the year I can wear the badge I earned and that is when parading with the Old Comrades on the Remembrance Day parade. It is entirely insulting that you would turn a badge that represents generations of those who lost their lives just to make a fashion statement!

I mean no offense to those Highlanders who served in the Seaforth regiment. I only do so because I have a distant relative who did serve in the regiment in WWI. By wearing the badge, my intent was to honor my kin.

**Pleater** · 21st September 12, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by Macman

I don't recall the pins giving my head any grief, but the pins might have been a little shorter than the one you have.

I once pinned a large spider broach to a cap and got ten little impact injuries - eight legs and the two fixings for the pin - which were quite painful. It was before the days of seatbelts and I hit the passenger side door when the driver had to avoid a car emerging from a side road. Great handbrake turn, just like in the pictures.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Jock Scot** · 21st September 12, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by chewse

I mean no offense to those Highlanders who served in the Seaforth regiment. I only do so because I have a distant relative who did serve in the regiment in WWI. By wearing the badge, my intent was to honor my kin.

I cannot speak for 48th Highlander of course, but I am quite sure that you meant no offense. I think we have a difference of culture at work here, although I do know some members of US forces do go along the lines of the British and Commonwealth military traditions, which are, if you did not serve in a particular unit, then you do not wear unit insignia, or even, unit ties as a civilian. An exception would be, "sweetheart brooches" when worn by a female family member, or, a young lady with a close attachment to a serving member of our armed forces. For example, I would no more wear my father's Royal Navy tie than fly to the moon, as I did not serve in that august service. It seems that some, perhaps many, US citizens seem rather more relaxed about "honouring their ancestors military career".

**Pleater** · 21st September 12, 07:34 AM

They do say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing - but there was no sign of the Canadian regiment's coronet or an L being included with the badge, I saw only the badge of what I assumed was the British Seaforth Highlanders - and they were amalgamated fifty years ago - the badge of the new regiment incorporated the stag's head, but it was not the same shape, and there was something between the antlers, but of course they too are gone now.

Perhaps I am too used to seeing badges being worn in memory of the dead.

Now a regimental or association tie - that is personal - a statement of belonging. I suppose it is how you were brought up to view these things.

Many years ago my sister's mother in law allowed her late husband's medals out of her keeping, and never saw them again. Every year someone who was not entitled to wear them marched in the Remembrance parade, and then his son would show them off and talk of his dad the military hero - there is a special place in Hell reserved for such as him - I hope.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: