What badge is this?

[rustyaustinchamp]

Does anyone recognise what this badge is? It's is on a pair of webbing panniers, (at least I think that's what they are) but I've never seen this badge before.

[fv1609]

To me the marking looks like the symbol used on radio & electrical circuits to depict 'earth'. Could these bags be used to contain cables for radio equipment or the old circuit breaker systems used on British MVs in the 1950s that required a pair of leads to two independent earth stakes?

[10FM68]

If someone could identify the 'CHQK 2603', then that would help.  I don't think the pouches are British Army as they use leather which would be unusual, but it is certainly possible that the organisation, represented by the 'fir tree' symbol was using a government webbing contractor.  I wonder whether the organisation was the GPO or similar.

[norseman 02]

I think you are onto something there as the symbol looks like it's been applied with a permanent marker pen. 

[fv1609]

43 minutes ago, norseman 02 said:

 looks like it's been applied with a permanent marker pen. 

Good point, gives it a rather home-made feel that might be a later addition.

[Adrian Dwyer]

Could it be a styalised representation of the Reconnaissance Corps badge?

Edited December 30, 2024 by Adrian Dwyer

[10FM68]

I suspect it was printed, but I don't think it is British military.  The Reconnaissance Corps badge wouldn't be a likely addition - I haven't come across any other unit badge being applied in such a way.  But, as I said, I don't think it is military - the answer, I suspect, lies in identifying the CNQK 2603.  Also, is the name stitiched in or is that just how it appears?  If it were military and allocated to an individual then I would expect a name, possibly a rank and a service number - certainly not a civilian address and the odd collection of letters and numbers shown above.  And, of course, the mix of leather and webbing isn't typical of British military (though, I grant you, quite commonly found on foreign military equipment).  I still incline towards some civilian organisation, perhaps GPO, perhaps AFS, probably not CD or ROC, but I wouldn't rule them out.  Possibly even something like the adventure scouts.

Incidentally, they appear to be top tube panniers for a bicycle which might help.  Where did theey come from, do you know?

Edited December 30, 2024 by 10FM68

[Adrian Dwyer]

Not the same item, but an example of Canadian webbing and fastenings.

[Adrian Dwyer]

Again, not the same item, but an example of Canadian WW1 kit webbing and leather.

[Enigma]

Looking at 2nd pic; if it was a Recce emblem wouldn't it be upside down?

[Adrian Dwyer]

39 minutes ago, Enigma said:

Looking at 2nd pic; if it was a Recce emblem wouldn't it be upside down?

I think that is a very good point!  If a WD item, I wonder if the name and symbol was added after its service life?  However, I wouldn't rule out a civilian purpose.  Hopefully, someone who knows will tell us!

A

[Adrian Dwyer]

A similar Romanian item but not webbing. <https://www.militarysurplus.eu/product-eng-47351-BIKE-BAG-CANVAS-AND-LEATHER-ROMANIAN-MILITARY-SURPLUS-NEW.html>

Edited January 1 by Adrian Dwyer

[Adrian Dwyer]

Early 20th century crossbar pannier <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-28/arnhem-land-adventurer-and-photographer-ted-ryko-remarkable-life/102989158>.  Quite different.  The items that started this post seem rather large to allow easy peddling.  If bicycling items, I wonder if the fit on a frame over the front wheel?  However, image of modern crossbar version also shown.

Edited January 2 by Adrian Dwyer

[rustyaustinchamp]

Thanks for your help chaps. The owner's markings are in black ink (as far as I can tell). The pouches have elements of the old 37 pattern webbing about them but pouches with brown cloth trim are not what I would expect to see on WW2 British webbing.

The leather fittings are also later additions, you can see the location of the original fittings because the material is devoid of blanco.

Panniers for a push bike or motorcycle I think but who used them and was he military or civilian?

 

[Adrian Dwyer]

My only further thought about the motif is that a) it doesn't seem to follow the earth symbol convention and b) the design is quite particular where the horizontal lines cross the vertical: almost forming sub-arrow shapes.  However, I can find nothing sufficiently similar via the wonders of google.  Hopefully someone else will find out and post a staggeringly obvious answer!  All the best.  A

[10FM68]

I offer this link without comment... as I don't know what to say!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174432886150?_skw=Rare+Original+British+Army+SAS+UKSF+Airbourne+1980’s+Bergen+Bag+with+Frame&var=473633587411&itmmeta=01JH63TDHK1Y7ZERV9GCCJDW7F&hash=item289d029d86:g:JzkAAOSw2NVfXKEy&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAABEHoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmAD6UQmNIQieT6Wp4hcHHQicP62Bb6tYHEYlNCTleZC9c8qL4RtHOWemxEu7dnJPyi6GNm9ipufbef23htDtu9REQJYqTviXFWNhc9zGwXLjrZ0l%2BrveCGrmNwuz%2BrbphEdUxoKvzJK0nLTPKmKRf%2FJHfTsi4t%2Bmp55JAiwqmh6IA1NTPnYiSNuWBpAAhRiTtowBXqSlGVFB4%2BdMnPkMYeDFQjPHHy2gCGgS327LAt0jMng521l113F%2Bo8kCACeP73tj6beFcTBOKS7HsGieXskzoXZmbc%2Bd2hDPqbo2Q8jy4jg615ylQVq5Emg%2F63kGt7PjPUMnsqGi--MTRdpr2q|tkp%3ABk9SR5LZ6cOJZQ 

 

[Bob Grundy]

Because they ain't anything to do with cycles....

[ted angus]

First clue, they used to hurt my kidneys ??

[Adrian Dwyer]

Is nothing safe from the world of up-cycling?  73-watchers?  How many from HMVF gently chuckling into their ale?