Early Queen's officer badge
 

I have only had this superb quality badge for a year now and it is the only one I have that has a frosted or matte gilt finish, which is not very apparent in the photos, but quite noticeable in hand. Has anyone else seen such a finish? I would imagine that such finishes were not very durable and a few polishes would remove the effect, so there may be quite a few more out there which are no longer appear to have this.

CB

I think you'll find you wouldn't polish a frosted and burnished gold and silver badge like this, if I remember correctly from about 30 years ago they would be dipped in cyanide to bring them up if not stored properly, brasso would just cut the finish off and totally ruin it as you would with an OSD.

CB,

Thanks for posting this. Always good to see Queen's badges

Is it cast/theatre-made... can't quite tell from your photos?

Did it come with some provenance and/or history attached? As I am sure you are aware, this pattern dates from 1898 becoming obsolete in 1924. Perhaps there were accompanying docs, medals, etc. to indicate it as being, as you put it: 'early'?

Everything about its look is Gaunt. It has all the Gaunt genes (see badge below), though your example has had the space between the raised foreleg and flagstaff voided.

Attachment 268015

Would you say that the 'frosting' is 100%, or might the finish be attributable to nothing more than age? You have the badge in the flesh, so obviously you're in the best position to comment.

JT

Mine has a rather grumpy looking sheep.
David Wright had a reversed metals S&G one I was always very envious of.

Is this a cast badge? It has Jennens all over it.

Hi JT,
It is British made of course and my reference to "early" is the date range you mentioned. There were many makers, both large and small, when it comes to officer badges. As I am sure you know, they were all private purchase, not WD contracted, and any military tailor could supply them, sourcing from the well known badge makers to local jewellers. The frosting, or whatever the proper term may be, is original to the badge and not age at all. Very similar to frosted silver in tone.
I pulled off ebay here in the US for an absurdly low price as few would even know what it is here.

CB

Cyanide! Well, I will not try to duplicate this.:eek: With regard to polish, I can only cringe when I imagine an overly zealous Batman eager to please his orficer bloke applying some elbow grease to it.

CB

"Frosted" finishing S&G and just silver was authorised in 1947 - there's something in Edwards somewhere.


Yes, I can spot a J&Co a mile (but ony for KLR) I also like the 'GAUNT LATE JENNENS' stamp

Interesting to note that officers of the Queen’s were wearing ‘frosted gilt metal’ collars as early as post-1881/pre-1898.

JT