Irish Constabulary Badge of Merit, silver arm badge, 52 x 44mm., unmarked, reverse fitted with four small loops for attachment, an earlier and slightly smaller badge than the following lot, very fine and rare £200-250

The Badge and associated Chevrons were instituted in 1842 in conjunction with the Constabulary Medal (Ireland). Prior to a change of regulations in 1872, distinguished service and acts of gallantry or merit could be rewarded by the award of the Badge and silver chevrons, both badge and chevrons worn on the sleeve. According to the act, a man could be awarded half, one, or more chevrons. When worn alone the Badge denoted a half-chevron. When five chevrons had been gained the badge and chevrons were exchanged for the Constabulary Medal. For acts of great gallantry the Medal could of course be awarded immediately. With the change of regulations in 1872, the Medal became solely an award for gallantry and could no longer be earned through lesser acts of merit and the accumulation of chevrons; though prior to the change only one such had been gained that way. The Constabulary gained the title ‘Royal’ in 1867.