New Zealand Fern - Pin Backed

[GregN]

Hi guys, I picked this up with a lot of Canadian badges yesterday. The reverse is flat backed with the maker "ANGUS & COOTE JEWELLERS" on the reverse. There is a stout pin but the clasp is broken off. Is this a sweetheart pin or a collar badge and what era would it be? The size is 2 cm high, almost 4 cm long (please see the images).

Thanks,

Greg

[Tinto]

Hi Greg,
Not sure if your badge is white metal or brass. However, I don't think it is military but more likely a souvenir type badge. Sometimes travelling sports teams eg. the All Blacks Rugby Team had these badges to give to fans.
Cheers, Tinto

[GregN]

Thanks Tinto, the badge appears to me made of bronze or gunmetal. Too bad it's not military.

Thanks,

Greg

[wanganui]

Nice badge Greg, a manufacturer i've not seen before with just the right amount of wear exposing the brass base metal. Shame about the broken clasp though, on the bright side at least the pin can be straightened.

This badge was certainly used as an unofficial RNZAF national title & WWII period photos support this, click the facebook link (hope it works otherwise i'll post pics direct to this site!!) to 2 original photos i shared on the site. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[GregN]

Thanks Wanganui, It's nice to know that it may be at least unofficially military. The FB link worked fine but you should still post the picture for those members who don't do FB.

Also, welcome to the Forum!

Greg

[atillathenunns]

The following wartime quote was made in reference to the 75th (New Zealand) Bomber Squadron.

“In every aircraft the crews wear the silver fern badge. Many of the men regard it as a mascot and would not dream of flying without it. The English members of the crew, especially, the sergeants, also proudly wear the badge.”

These silver ferns interestingly appear in group photos in different sizes, suggesting they were private purchase and most likely produced by different manufacturers.

[woronora]

Hi

Angus and Coote is a a well known Sydney jeweller which produced some non military Australian badges for the Australian Commonwealth Govt during WW2, such as the female relatives badge. In addition, the Company produced a lot of sweetheart badges, fobs etc.

Cheers

John

[runic1901]

Hi,
They also produced many souvenir epns items with enamel badges for passenger shipping lines from the 1940's to 1960's.
Regards, Tony

[kingsley]

One of the scarcest rising sun badges is a chrome WW2 nurses collar size badge made by Angus & Coote. It has a distinctive raised crown, not all were maker marked.
They (and other Sydney jewellers) also produced US insignia for the US forces stationed in Australia during WW2. I have the odd one but never seen a full list.
Melbourne makers also.