Thanks Rob, I have to admit that I don't know if a 'hand made master die set from which multiple production dies sets were made' but it sounds likely. I do know that there were specialist 'die sinkers' and that various companies did share / rent out dies. Yes, I know of one other (1896 KLR) Firmin die and I strongly suspect another one is too. When I learn how to take a decent photograph I can show the stylistic links between various dies - for example Firmin usually has a ridge along the bottom of the 'ground' and that the mane of the horse is very 'spiky' - amongst other details.
What is frustrating is that companies like Gaunt produce an officer's badge which is unmistakable but there is no OR badge with the same design - they must have used another design. As Jelly has found - there might be loads of dies / designs but most are 'anonymous !
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