Gordon Highlanders: Officer's silver (not H/M) plaid brooch badge. Circa 1881-1915, with 'Kirkwood, Edinburgh' makers marks

Metal: Silver

Weight: 142g

Dimension: Approx 91mm

A substantial heavy item of regimental Gordon Highlanders insignia

A flat quoit. In centre, the regimental officers pattern 3-dimensional officers glengarry / bonnet insignia of standard composition, including a '12 Pointer' stag’s head, surrounded by ivy leaves, a royal princess’s coronet and the regimental motto 'Bydand’. Around the 'Stags Head' are five scrolls inscribed with 4 x historic battle honours, 'Waterloo', 'India', 'Egypt', 'Peninsula' with the bottom scroll bearing the name of the regiment 'Gordon Highlanders'

Reverse of the insignia impressed with 'Kirkwood's' (of Edinburgh, Scotland) thistle logo, and indented makers address 'K. & H. B. Kirkwood, - Thistle St, Edinburgh'. Kirkwood's were makers, and retailers of this pattern of Officer's plaid brooch between 1881-1915 (the company, as owned and managed by two brothers) was wound up in circa 1915.

Important: This pattern of regimental insignia - always private purchase - as made by 'Kirkwood' was retailed, and worn by Officer's of the Gordon Highlanders, 1881-1915

Premier Edinburgh silversmith R & H,B, Kirkwood, were for long (circa 1875-1915) the go-to maker and retailer of 'Officer's' private-purchase Scottish regimental insignia. So that there is no doubt about the quality of the regimental insignia sold by 'Kirkwood'. consider the below following glowing review, from an article written in the magazine 'The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith;, issue of 1 October 1888, pertaining to a breath-taking display of Kirkwood's products displayed at the International Exhibition, held at Glasgow, Scotland, in, 1888

Quote,

International Exhibition, Glasgow, 1888

An exhibition in Scotland without some distinctly national exhibits would be an anomaly, but this is averted by the display of Messrs. R. & H. B. Kirkwood, Thistle Street, Edinburgh; a case of Highland ornaments of similar character and design to that which attracted so much attention in the Edinburgh Exhibition. The officers' ornaments and badges of most of the Highland regiments are arranged in the lower portion of the case. We rather fancy from their gorgeous appearance that our officers must be worth the plundering if they go forth on a campaign thus equipped. The crest brooches of the Highland clans, facsimiles of some of the famous historic brooches shown in the Bishop's Castle collection, and a unique display of sporrans, dirks and belt furniture–most of it reproductions of fine old designs–go to make up an exhibit unsurpassed in its own line in the whole exhibition

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st October 1888

Unquote.

The badge complete on revers, and retaining its long hinged stout pin with clasp fittings, as issued

A superb item of Gordon Highlanders regimental insignia, and of the highest quality craftsmanship, and purchased and worn by Gordon's officer's in the period 1881-1915, encompassing the storied eras of : The 'Egypt & Sudan Campaigns 1882-85' (3 x battle honours)'; North West Frontier of India 1895-1898 - including the 'Storming of the Dargai Heights' (2 x battle honours & 2 x Victoria Crosses); South African War 1899-1902 (3 x battle honours & 4 x Victoria Crosses), and the Great War (21 x battalions, 65 x battle honours & 2 x Victoria Crosses) 

Condition: Toned with mellow patina GVF

Code: 25653