5th Madras Infantry, a Victorian badge, probably from a shako.

The 60 x 64 mm [approx 2½ x 2½ ins ] brass badge of the 5th Madras Infantry has the design of a galley within a garter beneath Victorian crown set in a wreath bearing the battle honours CARNATIC, SHOLINGHUR, MYSORE, AVA, PEGU. In 1903 the regiment became the 69th Punjabis and in 1922 became part of the larger 2nd Punjab Regt. when the Golden Galley appeared in silver on the officer’s mess dress waist coat, an example of which appears in our Indian Buttons category. The slight curvature of the badge suggests it was probably worn on a shako or helmet: the regiment was classified as a rifle company.   oct6/1