Boer War Transvaal ZARP Horse Martingale Badge

Original, Scarce; First Boer War era 1880’s - 1890’s brass martingale Insignia for horses used by the mounted police of the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek Politie (ZARP) which was the police force in the Transvaal at the time. These insignias were used as a decorative piece on the leather straps or reins of the horses. This model badge was used until 1901, in 1902 another design was introduced which featured thicker lettering and did not have the accent on the bottom assumingely in an effort to save on materials for the War.  This badge is missing its lower lug with shows some oxidation and wear on the reverse, the obverse is in quite good condition and features a South African Republic Eagle clutching a band with the inscription “Eendragt Maakt Magt” which is High Dutch (not Afrikaans) for “Unity Makes Strength” and “ZAR” in the center for “Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek” or South African Republic. The badge measures 94 x 51.5mm. The South African Republic Police or Zuid-Afrikaansche Republ