Badges, British, Pre-WW1

Victorian Gorget and Cross Belt Plates in Auction

Buying and selling items via auction has become a popular way for people to expand their collection, especially during the Covid Pandemic. Auctions embraced the opportunity and online bidding became quite normal for collectors. Now you can bid live and watch an auction as it happens from the comfort of your own home. This ensures that none of the excitement of the auction room is lost and auction houses have worked hard to make the bidding process as simple as possible.

One of the UK’s major Militaria Auctions is C&T Auctions based in Kent, England. The quality of the items they offer has gained them a formidable reputation and they also offer a step by step guide to bidding. So why not give it a go?

We can offer you a preview of some Victorian regimental cross belt plates and a gorget in auction, that are all available during their two-day sale which will take place on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th October 2022. The auction is online only. Following the auction, we will update this post with the ‘sold for’ prices.


73rd Regiment of Foot, Officer’s Shoulder Belt Plate

This officer’s shoulder belt plate from the 73rd Regiment of Foot dates between 1820 and 1840. The stunning rectangular gilt face plate is made of copper and is adorned with gilt and silver mounts. It has laurel leaves on the left, surrounding the number 73 and the Seringapatam and Mangalore honour decorations, and oak leaves on the right; all under a Victorian crown and with a silver Waterloo scroll underneath. Overall it is a very attractive item.

This item is Lot 135 and the estimated value is £500 – 700.

Victorian cross belt plate for sale in auction
Front view of the whole plate with silver scroll battle honours and Waterloo scroll underneath.
Rear of Victorian cross belt plate for sale in auction
Rear view of the fixing hooks and pins.

C&T Auctions logo


Coldstream Guards, Officer’s Shoulder Belt Plate

This officer’s shoulder belt plate from the Coldstream Guards regiment dates between 1825 – 1855 and it is a very attractive example. Gilt plate with a speckled finish, upon which an eight-point rayed silver star is mounted, and a badge of the Order of the Garter with blue enamel backing to cut-out gilt lettering reading ‘Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense’. This translates to ‘Shame on anyone who thinks evil of it’ and is the motto of the Order of the Garter, which is the highest order of knighthood in Britain. The central cross of St. George is made of red enamel. The belt plate has a leather backing and two curved prongs with two fixing buttons for mounting.

This item is Lot 134 and the estimated value is £400 – 600.

Victorian cross belt plate for sale in auction
The front shows the intricate detail and workmanship that has gone into this badge.
Rear of Victorian cross belt plate for sale in auction
A rear view of the shoulder belt plate which shows the leather padding and fastening hooks.

C&T Auctions logo


9th Bengal Native Infantry, Officer’s Shoulder Belt Plate

This officer’s shoulder belt plate is from the 9th Bengal Native Infantry and dates between 1824-1840. It has a rectangular gilt backplate which has been polished, with silver mounts and an intricate stipple engraving. The words ‘native infantry’ and a large number 9 sit in the front centre and they stand proud above two battle honours for Buxar and Deig. It is in very good condtion.

This item is Lot 136 and the estimated value is £1,000 – 1,500.

9th Bengal Native Infantry Officers Shoulder Belt Plate - Victorian Era for sale in auction
9th Bengal Native Infantry Officer’s Shoulder Belt Plate c1824-1840
Victorian cross belt plate for sale in auction
Close-up of the raised front detail
Rear view of a 9th Bengal Native Infantry Officers Shoulder Belt Plate
Rear view shows the two fixing rivets and hook with lovely age patina.

C&T Auctions logo


76th Regiment of Foot, Officer’s Shoulder Belt Plate

This shoulder belt plate belonged to an officer of the 76th Regiment of Foot. It is made to the highest standard with a gilt rectangular back, engraved gilt front decoration and a thin, polished rim.

The belt plate has a raised white metal cross with a rayed star in silver with a gilt wreath, Victorian crown over the scrolls for the Hindoostan and the Nive campaigns. It has a white metal elephant and in the centre there are the Roman numerals LXXVI for 76, and a Peninsula battle honour in a scroll. The rear view shows all the mounting pins which hold the frontal elements in place.

This item is Lot 137 and the estimated value is £500 – 700.

76th Regiment of Foot Officer's Belt Plate for sale in auction
Front of the 76th Regiment of Foot Officer’s shoulder belt.
Rear view of 76th Regiment of Foot Officers Shoulder Belt plate
Rear view with buttons and fixing pins.

C&T Auctions logo


A Silver Gilt Gorget for a member of the Honourable East India Company

This silver gilt gorget belonged to an Officer of the Honourable East India Company. It is of the finest quality and it has been handmade correctly on a wire frame with rolled edges. In the centre on the front it has a deeply engraved crest representing the Honourable East India Company. The rear is engraved with the script initials RW. They probably represented the owner’s own initials. The gorget is also well hallmarked 1818 and a London maker’s mark of “h”.

This item is Lot 131 and the estimated value is £500 – 700.

Victorian Regimental Officer's Gorget for sale in auction
The Honourable East India Company officer’s silver gilt gorget front.
The Honourable East India Company Officer’s Silver Gilt Gorget close up.
A close-up of the detailed engraving shows the tremendous amount of skill and workmanship involved.
Victorian Officers Gorget engraving.
Another close-up of the gorget engraving and the manufacturer’s hallmarks.
Internal engraving on the inside of the gorget.
The initials engraved on the underside of the gorget – most probably representing the owner’s initials.

C&T Auctions logo


Interested in seeing more Victorian items for sale? CLICK HERE

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Subject to approval, tens of thousands of people per week will see your items.