Pre-1952 Royal Navy Naval Master-at-Arms (MAA) Police Regulator Cloth Arm Trade Badge Patch

M.A.A. badge removed from album (paper top back) otherwise, GC. A King's crown surrounded by a laurel wreath, embroidered in red onto a dark blue, rectangular, with curved top, trade or branch badge. To be worn on working blue uniform.

The MAA is a ship's senior rating, normally carrying the rank of chief petty officer or warrant officer. They are in charge of discipline aboard ship, assisted by regulators of the Royal Navy Police, of which they are a member. The non-substantive (trade) badge of an MAA is a crown within a wreath.

The post of master-at-arms was introduced to the Royal Navy during the reign of King Charles I; their original duties were to be responsible for the ship's small arms and edged weapons, and to drill the ship's company in their use.1 This was not an onerous task, and masters-at-arms came to be made responsible for "regulating duties"; their role as weapons instructors was eventually taken over by the chief gunner.

The MAA is addressed as "Master" if holding the rank of chief petty officer, regardless of gender, and is often nicknamed the "jaunty", a corruption of the French gendarme, or the "joss/jossman".

Code: 1468