British Army chaplain's desert insignia, Circa 2010, sealed pattern.

Pair of British Army chaplain's desert insignia, 2010 dated sealed pattern workmanship sample by Wyedean

A matched pair of British Army chaplain's organisational insignia in desert colours, still attached to their original MoD "accepted contractor's workmanship sample" tags. These are the reference pieces, not issue badges: the samples a manufacturer submitted and had approved, which then set the standard every badge made under the contract had to match.

Each shield-shaped badge has a black embroidered Latin cross on a sand twill ground, with a sand-coloured woven edge and white backing. They were made for wear on desert combat dress during the period of British operations in Afghanistan.

The contractor's tag is completed by hand and reads:
NATO stock no: 8455-99-812-6550
Specification no: UK/SC/4687
Pattern no: D01423
Designation: Insignia organisational chaplains officer black on sand
Firm's name: Wyedean Weaving, Haworth
Contract no: DC3B/3523, dated June 2010

The second tag, from the Defence Clothing IPT (the MoD team responsible for buying uniform), is signed and named J M Phillimore and dated 24 August 2010, recording the sample's acceptance.

Wyedean Weaving has made military braid, insignia and accoutrements at Bridgehouse Mill, Haworth, since 1964 and remains a key supplier to the Ministry of Defence.

Sealed and workmanship samples survive in far smaller numbers than issue insignia, and a matched pair on both original tags, with full contract details, is a scarce piece of modern British Army uniform history. A fine addition to any collection of chaplaincy, Afghanistan-era or sealed pattern material.

Condition: very good,  tags complete.