British India: Madras Volunteer Guards. Collar Badge. Queen Victoria Crown. Bronze. Die Struck

Dimensions: Approximately (W)25mm x (H)30mm The badge with retaining the 2 x copper loops to reverse The badge dates to the Victorian era (pre 1901) and is a Victorian crown over Garter inscribed 'Madras Infantry Volunteers', Royal coat of arms in centre, wreath around with IVG (Infantry Volunteer Guards) in small discs at base of each side of wreath, scrolls below with regimental motto of the Madras Volunteer Guards 'Ready Aye Ready' and beneath a subsidiary scroll with date '1857' The Madras Volunteer Guards were the senior-most infantry regiment of the Indian volunteer movement, and have their origins dating back to the year 1857 - the year of the Indian Mutiny - when the Madras Volunteer Guards were raised as a precautionary measure. With the creation of the Indian Defence Force in April 1917, the unit was restyled '1st Madras Guards'. On the subsequent creation of the Auxiliary Force India in 1920, the unit was re-styled 'The Madras Guards' Condition: VF