Material: Bi-metal (white metal and gilding metal)
Size: 42mm w × 45mm h
Description: The badge is structured with a prominent bi-metal composition utilizing an outer gilded brass wreath and a central white metal focal piece. The die-stamped brass component forms a full circular laurel wreath framing the bottom title scroll "DORSETSHIRE" in crisp, raised capital lettering. Floating in the openwork center is a white metal castle featuring three detailed watchtowers and a central gateway representing the Castle of Gibraltar. Surmounting the castle structure is a tablet bearing the battle honour "MARABOUT", which serves as the physical pedestal for a finely rendered Egyptian Sphinx in profile. The bottom of the central white metal plate incorporates a primary banner displaying the Latin regimental motto "PRIMUS IN INDIS".
Reverse: The entire rear side is made of a uniform, golden-toned brass alloy showing natural age darkening and faint green copper carbonate patina in the tight recesses. Attached vertically down the center is a thick, solid brass slider prong with a rounded tip, designed to slide tightly down into the front band of a wool service dress cap or beret. The main body of the badge shows mirror-image hollow impressions—commonly called sweat holes or stamping voids—behind the castle towers and the bottom lettering scroll, confirming the piece was manufactured using a heavy industrial drop-hammer die. A horizontal reinforcement bar or braze plate links the central white-metal castle assembly directly to the outer brass laurel wreath ring.
Circa: 1898-1951
Notes:
The imagery crowded onto this small infantry badge represents a dense visual timeline of unique battle honors inherited from earlier merged units. The Latin phrase "Primus in Indis" translates directly to "First in India," a distinction awarded because the 39th Regiment of Foot was the first regular British military unit deployed to the subcontinent in 1754. The castle honors the grueling 1779 Siege of Gibraltar, while the Sphinx and "Marabout" tablet celebrate the 54th Foot's heroic capture of a strategic French gun battery at Fort Marabout, Egypt, in 1801.Because this variant explicitly retains the full "DORSETSHIRE" title along the bottom loop, it can be securely dated prior to 1951, when the War Office formally shortened the unit designation to "The Dorset Regiment".