Brief History Issued from 1881 to 1914, the Helmet Plate Centre replaced the earlier 'numbered' glengarry badges, which, following the Cardwell Reforms of 1881 gave regional titles to regiments. The Helmet Plate Centre (or HPC as it is normally referred to) could be worn either on the glengarry (when it would be worn with a detachable crown set above it) as the undress cap, or alternatively the Helmet Plate Centre could be affixed to a large universal pattern brass plate when it would be worn with the infantry helmet. This section lists only the centres, for complete helmet plates refer to the relevant Helmet Plate section.

Important Notes Applying to This Section Badges are offered subject to being unsold. Prices quoted are UK Pounds (£ 's) All badges in this section are new, although some may require a degree of polishing depending upon how you wish to display them Images are not to scale Should you wish to make a purchase please refer to our order page for further information. Content Copyright © S.R.S 2003 All rights reserved

Royal Berkshire Brass Order Code HPCS/030 Price: UK£ 15-00 Border Regiment plated Order Code HPCS/012 Price: UK£ 15-00 The Buffs East Kent Regiment Brass   Post 1901 pattern Order Code HPCS/020 Price: UK£ 15-00 Connaught Rangers Brass Order Code HPCS/018 Price: UK£ 15-00 Sherwood Foresters Derbyshire Regiment Brass Order Code HPCS/001 Price: UK£ 15-00 Notts & Derby Regiment Brass Order Code HPCS/003 Price: UK£ 15-00 Devonshire Regiment Brass Order Code HPCS/009 Price: UK£ 15-00 Dorsetshire Brass Order Code HPCS/022 Price: UK£ 15-00 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Brass Order Code HPCS/023 Price: UK£ 15-00 Durham Light Infantry Brass Order Code HPCS/016 Price: UK£ 15-00 East Surrey Regiment Brass Order Code HPCS/010 Price: UK£ 15-00 Essex Regiment Essex Regiment Two Turreted Castle, pre 1896 pattern Brass Order Code HPCS/019 Price: UK£ 15-00 Essex Regiment Three Turreted Castle, post 1896 pattern Brass Order Code HPCS/014 Price: UK£ 15-00 Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Brass Order Code HPCS/002 Price: UK£ 15-00 Hampshire Regiment Brass Order Code HPCS/029 Price: UK£ 15-00 Royal Jersey Light Infantry Brass Order Code HPCS/008 Price: UK£ 15-00 Royal Lancaster Brass Order Code HPCS/026 Price: UK£ 15-00   Page 2 of Helmet Plate Centres Section

General Description Following the 1881 reforms which saw the introduction of regimental titles, a new design of helmet plate was needed. A standardised star shape backing plate with crown over ( image 1 below ) was introduced, to which a detachable centre could be affixed. These centres were generally circular in form and of similar size to each other. There are a few exceptions however. Helmet Plate Centres or HPC's as you will sometimes find them referred to can be found in a variety of metals. 1 Whilst the original backing plate bore the crown of Queen Victoria, after her death a new backing plate was introduced bearing the Kings Crown to mark the crowning of King Edward VII in 1901. ( image 2 below ) 2 As an economy measure it was intended that the Helmet Plate Centre would be worn with the glengarry cap as well as with the cloth helmet. When worn with the glengarry the HPC would be worn with a seperate crown ( image 3 ). 3 The glengarry cap ceased to be worn by all but Scottish regiments after the mid 1890's. Collecting Collecting is very much a personal decision subject to your collecting aims, available space, finances etc. A collection of HPC's together with an example of either one or both backing plates makes an attractive display. There is a wide variety from which to choose, and display these either alone or with a Victoria crown backing plate. You may wish instead to collect the later Kings Crown post 1901 pattern HPC's . In some instances the post 1901 pattern HPC's will be the same as their pre 1901 predecessors, however where there is a crown in the design the badge will likely have been updated to reflect the crown of the new sovereign, and of course there are general changes in design and amalgamations of regiments reflecting changes in title which occured throughout the 1881 to 1914 period. Collecting according to regiment - it is possible to build a collection around a single regiment or group of regiments and following the lineage of the regiments, how they were formed, which regiments they amalgamated with over the years, and therefore building a collection of badges around that. Display While we touched on display in the previous section in relation to arranging a collection by date, regiment etc., there are a number of ways in which your collection can physically be displayed. At this point it is best to point out that to help preserve the value of your collection never remove the fittings from the reverse of the badges. If attempting to 'bend' fittings, which is not recommended, be aware that they can detach and are difficult to re-attach. While removing fittings may be an attractive option in the short term to make framing easier, in the longer term should you wish to dispose of your collection you may find the value adversely affected - as a current collector would you, at this time, buy badges with missing fittings ? Do you really want to leave your hard amassed collection lying loose in a cardboard box ? Displaying means you can see what you have in your collection, what you need to complete your collection and allows others the ability to enjoy your collection. We will cover framing elsewhere on the site but once framed you have little opportunity to re arrange your badges without a fair degree of work, are you sure you have every badge variant and every regiment arranged the way you want them ? Mounting badges on stiff card, available from stationers, has the advantage that badges can be moved at will and the card is reasonably inexpensive. The cards can then be either laid flat in a drawer or stored upright in a file type cabinet. ....more