Gradia Militaria
Transvaal Defence Rifle Association cap badge (V.S.V / D.R.A) Believed circa 1923-43.
Transvaal Defence Rifle Association cap badge (V.S.V / D.R.A) Believed circa 1923-43.
SKU:10193
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Die struck brass cap badge of the Transvaal Defence Rifle Association cap badge (V.S.V / D.R.A) Believed circa 1923-43.
D.R.A. stands for Defence Rifle Association. V.S.V. is thought to stand for the Afrikaans "Verdedigings Skiet Vereeniging" (roughly, Defence Shooting Association), though one collector forum notes this isn't fully confirmedD.R.A. stands for Defence Rifle Association, so V.S.V. would stand for Verdediging Skiet Vereeniging, though that's not certain.
The same badge design was issued for Transvaal, Natal, and the Orange Free State, each marked with its own province namethe same badge exists for Transvaal, Natal and the Orange Free State.
The device in the centre is a gun carriage/limber, referencing the rifle association's shooting/defence role.
Context: Defence Rifle Associations grew out of the earlier Boer-era "Skietverenigings" (shooting clubs) and were part of South Africa's post-1912 Defence Act reserve structure.
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