The Highland Light Infantry (official abbreviation HLI) was formed during the Childers Reforms of 1881 (which amongst other things created the "territorially" named regiments replacing the earlier system of numbered regiments) by amalgamation of the 71st (Highland) (Light Infantry) regiment and the 74th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot.
The cap badge of the HLI remained unchanged in design until the 1958 amalgamation with The Royal Scots Fusiliers aka RSF (not The Royal Scots which was a different regiment).
The only difference to the badges format was that initially it bore the Queens Victorian Crown. It did not include a regnal cypher so when the Kings Crown version appeared in 1901 it continued until HM Queen Elizabeth ascended the Throne in 1953 when a Queens Crown version was introduced followed by the anodised aluminium version of the same badge prior to the 1958 amalgamation with the RSF.
Shown here are the Kings Crown versions of; Officers badge, ORs (enlisted) white metal and ORs 1915 brass economy. The brass economy in this case appears to have been deliberately blackened using Lamp Black or similar, perhaps by holding it over a smoking oil lamp or even a piece of burning carbon rubber.
Badges in the first two formats (the brass was only meant for WWI but who knows if they were all removed from circulation immediately afterwards) were in use from 1901 - 1953.
The design consists of the star of the Order of the Thistle with a bugle horn (from the 71st), the Elephant (from the 74th) which represents service in India along with the battle honour Assaye ( India 23 Sep 1803) also from the 74th. In the centre is the monogram HLI. At the top is the relevent sovereigns crown which accross the time line was; QVC, KC then finally QC.
The officers badge is cast from silver and gilt brass in four parts; the star in silver, the crown, monogram and elephant on scroll all in gilt brass.
The two ORs badges are; die stamped white metal or brass.
Regards
Mark
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