King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Cap Badge

Material: Brass (gilding metal)
Size 55 mm w × 31 mm h
Description: Struck in solid brass or gilding metal with an intense golden hue, the design highlights the iconic "Lion of England" in a proud passant guardant stance, featuring deeply textured mane definitions, a snarling expression, and an elegantly curled upper tail. The feline predator stands squarely atop a cleanly stylized, horizontal cutout banner that reads "THE KING'S OWN" in bold capital block lettering. The reverse side displays a hollow intaglio structure that has been custom-modified with an aftermarket safety pin mechanism, bypassing its factory-issued slider or lug mounts to serve as a brooch or customized jacket pin.
Circa: 1896-1959
Notes:
The Lion of England design serves as the definitive hallmark of the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster), tracing its heraldic use by the regiment all the way back to 1774. While this specific fretted letter variant was mass-produced for frontline field service during the First and Second World Wars, the reverse side has undergone a clear contemporary or veteran adjustment. The original vertical brass slide mechanism was carefully removed and neatly replaced with a horizontal safety pin assembly, a common modification performed by sweetheart collectors, veterans, or family members wanting to wear the unit insignia on civilian clothing.