International - Lot of 5 Badges
A diverse collection of military, civil service, and unidentified insignia spanning different nations and historical periods.
1. Pair of South African Civil Service Institute Badges
Country: South Africa
Era: Early to mid-20th century
Material: Likely brass or bronze
Maker’s Mark:
One badge is unmarked.
The other is stamped on the reverse:
"Fattorini & Sons Ltd, Bradford Works, Birmingham"
Purpose:
Issued to members of the South African Civil Service Institute (SACSI), an organization for government employees and administrators.
Could have been worn on uniforms or as a lapel badge for identification or recognition of service.
2. Belgium - Regimental Royal Engineers "A Casque" Badge
Country: Belgium
Era: Early to mid-20th century
Material: Brass or bronze
Condition:
One attachment loop is broken (refer to photos).
Purpose:
Identifies personnel of the Belgian Royal Engineers (Génie Royal / Koninklijke Genie).
The "A Casque" likely refers to a helmeted emblem, symbolizing the engineering corps’ protective and construction duties.
Typically worn on Belgian military caps or uniforms as a regimental insignia.
Collectibility & Value
Belgian military badges are relatively rare in international collections, making this a unique European collectible.
If the badge has regimental markings, it could hold additional historical interest and increase in value.
Broken attachment loop affects the value, but the badge remains collectible for its historical significance.
3. Pair of Unidentified Army Badges – Letter "N" with Crown on Top (Possibly NAAFI Related)
(Potentially Associated with the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes - NAAFI)
General Information
Country: Likely United Kingdom or a Commonwealth nation
Era: 1920s – late 20th century
Design Features:
Letter "N" topped with a crown
The crown suggests an official military or royal connection
Possibly related to NAAFI (Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes)
What is NAAFI?
Founded on 9 December 1920, NAAFI is a British government-run organization providing canteens, shops, and recreational facilities for the British Armed Forces and their families.
NAAFI services are present on military bases, Royal Navy ships, and overseas stations.
Commissioned officers are typically not allowed in NAAFI clubs and bars, as these were designed for junior ranks.
Possible Identifications for the "N" with Crown Badges
NAAFI Employee or Staff Badge
NAAFI issued various insignia and badges to employees, particularly those stationed at overseas military bases.
The crown may indicate a senior staff or managerial role.
Some NAAFI staff also received long-service awards and recognition badges.
Commonwealth or British Military Supply/Logistics Unit
Certain British and Commonwealth supply corps badges include letters with a crown.
The letter "N" may signify a supply, logistics, or commissary-related unit.
Examples:
Newfoundland Regiment (WWI-era insignia sometimes included "N")
British Army Service Corps (logistics & supply divisions used crowned initials)
Naval or Coastal Service Insignia
Some British and Commonwealth naval units used letter insignia for specific supply branches.
The "N" could stand for Naval Stores, Navy Supply, or a base-specific administration unit.
Collectibility & Value
If confirmed as a NAAFI badge, it would be uncommon, since most NAAFI insignia are rare outside of military surplus collections.
If a regimental or military logistics badge, it could be highly collectible among British Army and Commonwealth badge collectors.
This lot of five badges includes South African civil service, Belgian military engineering, and unidentified Commonwealth army insignia, making it a diverse collection for military and governmental badge collectors.