WO rank badge? - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

kingsley · #1 14-03-17, 02:08 AM

Not sure what this is or whether it is a badge or a brooch. It is rather small to be a WO rank badge. It has a brooch pin, very high quality, and measures 30mm high and 35mm wide. Is it QVC or QC?

Toby Purcell · #2 14-03-17, 09:36 AM

The crown is a variation of the St Edwards that is used by our present Queen and also Queen Victoria, although for her it was depicted in a more 'stylised' way (even though the exact same crown). The wreath is of oak leaves rather than the laurels used on the warrant officer (quarter-master sergeant) pattern badge and so has an especially English connotation I think. It seems too specific in design to be a random brooch and I suspect that it does relate to a Royal body/organisation of some kind.
It seems most likely to be a circa 1953 Coronation commemorative brooch for Queen Elizabeth II. There is a British tradition for producing such brooches in the jewellery quarters (especially silversmiths) of London, Birmingham and Edinburgh. She is the Sovereign of the UK as a whole, but her first title is Queen of England, so hence the oak leaves.

manchesters · #3 14-03-17, 10:37 AM

It appears to be a QVC to me, definately not EIIR.

Not a WO badge though.

regards

Toby Purcell · #4 14-03-17, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manchesters

It appears to be a QVC to me, definately not EIIR.

Not a WO badge though.

regards

It could be QV crown, I agree. Both Queen's use(d) depictions (slightly differing artistic interpretations) of the same, St Edwards crown, in this case I was not 100% sure if the distinctive, QVC flare to the arches was there or not.
Any silver assay mark, or other jeweller's mark, might well confirm a date. Such a quality item seems unlikely to be without a trademark of some kind.

GTB · #5 14-03-17, 02:25 PM

I don't doubt it is a QVC

GTB

kingsley · #6 15-03-17, 10:49 AM

Thanks for the helpful replies. The only reason I bought it was that it looked like a QVC to me. The badge is exceptionally high quality, quite heavy but has no hallmark or maker's name.
If QVC, perhaps it is an 1886 or 1896 commemorative. They certainly produced a lot of medallions.

Toby Purcell · #7 15-03-17, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingsley

Thanks for the helpful replies. The only reason I bought it was that it looked like a QVC to me. The badge is exceptionally high quality, quite heavy but has no hallmark or maker's name.
If QVC, perhaps it is an 1886 or 1896 commemorative. They certainly produced a lot of medallions.

Yes, probably commemorative. The 1896 Jubilee seems a strong possibility.