Proof at last

[Mercian]

Many years ago when I first started collection badges I saw a blackened Cheshire Regiment badge for sale (which I failed to get) on one of the lists I used to receive. The seller described it as blackened brass, but did not know which battalion. Also in Colin Churchill’s book on collar badges he states the same thing. I have at last got proof off two postcards I bought from Canada. On one card is of the 1st VB Cheshire battalion band and on the bass drum is seen the South Africa battle honour, which date the card to 1905-08, they are wearing blackened cap and collar badges and blackened waist belt clasps which I have never seen before.
On the other is a clear shot of the collar badge, but his head is turned so the cap badges can’t be seen. The question is would the brass badges been made with lugs and would that account for the amount of brass Cheshire badges in the lugs v slider in the economy badge debate.

[Sonofacqms]

Would the 1st VB Cheshire cap badge be just a normal blackened brass or would it have "1st VB " on it?

Rob

[Alan O]

Most likely they were lugged.

Often one of the Bns in the VBs did not have VB in their titles but used a different metal from the Regulars. It was then left to the others to use VB in titles to differentiate. There was no hard and fast rule.

[Mercian]

I have Officer's bronze cap badges to the 1st and 4th VB and a white metal OR's to the 4th with a second scroll. I have never seen a blackened one with or without a second scroll.