Plastic vs Bakelite
 

Was the term Bakelite used to OFFICIALLY describe the plastic economy badges made during the Second WW? (eg in ordnance descriptions or catalogues?)

Not to my knowledge.

These two sealed patterns (property of 54Bty) indicate the use of “plastic”.

Tim

Possibly, this Wikipedia page says that WW2 buttons were made from Bakelite, its a bit confusing because at one point it was a brand name but after some patents had expired it seemed to become a general term for a type of plastic.

Considering it could contain Formaldehyde and Asbestos its perhaps odd how keen people are to have it around the house.

Rob

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakelite

The badges were made from a thermoplastic called cellulose acetate.
This material came in powdered form and the badges were produced by injection moulding. The reverse is flat and thin brass clips, or blades, were embedded into the plastic to fix the badge to the headdress. Authorised in ACI 2594/41
But yes, thery called it plastic for short.


It was certainly NOT bakelite!!!

Thanks gentlemen. It was a query to confirm my understanding of plastic economy badges, especially in reference to the use of the term Bakelite.

Though by "Plastic Economy Badges WW2" on Ebay brings up say 30 hits by iserting "Bakerlite Economy Badges WW2" could bring you more hits so a good idea to check each time if searching out these badges, good luck billy

As everyone has alluded to Bill it’s just collectors vernacular. Same kettle of fish with WW1 ‘all brass economies’, in the original documentation the words brass and economy/economies was never used but it crept into the collectors vocabulary and now after years of use and appearing in books is deeply entrenched. The correct terminology for these should be 1916 all GM issues... not quite as catchy sadly as the former or as in your question Bakelite.

Plastic badge
Economy badge
Bakelite
Bakerlight
Bakerlite
Bakerlight
Baker Lite
Baker Light

Very often all yield results on eBay. With search terms less is more so long as you’ve got the time to search through the results.

Often turn up in baker's dozen....

But the Bakerman Paras don't wear one, they're very Laid Back.