Un-recorded NZEF Shoulder title
 

One of my buys yesterday . Not in Oldham's catalogue . Any constructive opinions welcome as to era, or if you have seen this shoulder title before .

Hi Iain,
Interesting title, I've not seen one of these before.
Regards, John

NZEF
 

New Zealand Expeditionery Forces.

I have two other NZEF shoulder titles in my picture database, both are different to your cast version, which suggests to me they were individually made, and not produced for the masses.

Hi

I've had items similar to this (CYC, Queen Alexandra's and also Sigs plus other British items).
Suggest WW1 and made in Egypt?

My initial thought was New Zealand Expeditionary Force - hand filed and shaped.
Possibly from the period of the first three reinforcements to leave New Zealand bound for, Egypt. But could also have originated on the voyage to capture Western Samoa.
I'm only just thinking out loud - riffing, but based on my aquired knowledge of some years back, that the issuing of badges after war was declared was a pretty random affair.

I had an email from Laurie Osborne this morning. Laurie had one of the most extensive NZ badge collections ever assembled . He had one the same, which he sold on Trade Me in March 2019.So mine at least had a ''mate'', maybe others out there but definitely a rarity.

I'd still go with an item made in the "soukh" (bazaar) as it appears to be sand cast. The loops are very much like the ones seen on GB and Australian badges from this (WW1) era.
However, a CYC badge I once saw had massive integrally cast loops to the reverse. They weren't going to break off anytime soon...

I totally agree. There just doesn't seem to be many around, so probably only a small amount made at the time.

The NZEF title sold by Laurie was listed a couple of times before it sold.
My thinking it is an Engineers title with a "F" added on the end.

Attachment 214885

Well indeed , interesting. The differences are glaring, between the one I have and the one ex Laurie. Definitely not a ''mate'' to mine .


But could it be possible the Laurie's one was the template badge the bazaar made one was sandcast off ?

So I found this in an earlier thread , NZEF shoulder title belonged to forum member , Investment . It looks similar to mine .

Yes, design does look similar to yours, as do the lugs. I purchased the NZEF shoulder title from Ballarat, Victoria, possibly a bring back from a veteran :)