[R.J. Bradshaw]

In 2001-02 I completed a series of experiments for my final year dissertation at the University of Derby, School of Environmental Science, entitled; British Army Cap Badges 1896-1953, The Detection of Restrikes; A General Guide for the Collector.

During my extensive research I found through exhaustive tests that the materials contained in genuine badges was a standardised alloy known as gilding-metal, which in tests, proved to be 89% copper (Cu) and an 11% Zinc (Zn) alloy, which absolutely, did not fluctuate in the genuine examples tested.

White Metal. although this term is widely used by badge collectors it is not technically correct. true white metal is a hard wearing tin base alloy which is widely used for coatings for bearings etc. The term "white-metal" however is a generic term that is often applied to any alloy that has a silver-white apperance, which in the case of cap-badges would perhaps be better described as white-brass. In genuine badges white metal was found to be 60% Copper, alloyed with 21% zinc (Zn) and 19% Nickel, and this also did not fluctuate in the genuine examples tested.

Yellow Brass. This very popular medium was a widely used alloy for military badges before c.1881 containing 60% Copper, and 40% zinc. In cap badges 1896-1953, this alloy was retained (probably for its strength) only as the "slider" and as a high-temperature braze to attach the slider to the badge itself. It is most likely that Gilding-metal was used as a replacement because it was cheaper to produce than yellow brass, and it offered better ductility in the die-stamping method of production.

It is these details that were the key to detecting restrikes in almost all cases because no badge produced in the restrike era, arguably 1960's onward, used these dated and volatile methods of manufacture, which have certain characteristics that can be easily discerned with a little practice. The softness of metals however, was entirely dependant on where badges were displayed or stored, and a good example of this was a collection once framed and displayed over a pub fire-place, which meant that the badges, which were all genuine I might add, were in quite a soft-state.

After I finished University (I got a 1st for it) I sent the original manuscript to two specialist military publishers, but neither were interested, because I'd used coloured plates, which was at the heart of the detection of restrikes. But nearly ten years later as the subject, obviously still arouses much debate, I often wonder if it may be time for another attempt?