Australian Rising Sun Hat Badge Federation Star Sixth Pattern.
Condition: Very Good Original Hat Badge.
Complete with 2 pins.
It’s a highly desirable badge.
Maker: Unknown.
Dimensions: Height – 45mm, Width – 60mm,
All dimensions are approximate and may vary between badges.
Discription
The sixth Rising Sun Hat Badge, from 1969, was modified to incorporate the Federation Star and Torse Wreath from the original 1902 version of the badge, and the scroll wording was changed to Australia.
History
The Rising Sun badge, also known as the General Service Badge or the Australian Army Badge, is the official insignia of the Australian Army and is worn on the brim of a slouch hat or the front of a peaked cap (select appointments only). The badge is readily identified with the spirit of ANZAC, the legend of the Australian soldier (or digger), and the esprit de corps of the Army due to its association with the landings at Gallipoli in 1915. Today, recruits receive the iconic badge with their initial equipment issue within their first three days of enlistment.
In 1969, the badge was again modified to incorporate the Federation Star and Torse Wreath from the original 1902 version of the badge, while in 1972, the scroll wording was shortened again to ‘Australia.’ However, due to the number of older badges still held in stock, this badge was not produced for issue until the late 1980s.
In 1991, a new design was produced, which returned the design to one similar to that of the original World War I badge to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the fighting at Gallipoli. The inscription on the scroll was again changed and now reads: ‘The Australian Army.’
In 1995, the badge was altered for the last time when the metal was changed from 1160 aluminium, returning it to brass for the first time since World War II, but with a copper and gold plate, while also raising the crown and arms and re-introducing piercings as it had in 1914, and thus returning to its traditional layout. Today’s version is the seventh iteration of the design used as the General Service Badge.
