It is not bimetal but a brass badge that has been nickel plated and the nickel has worn off from the front. An identical one (less the nickel plate) is shown in Wilkinsons book as a 1916 economy. However some of his descriptions are plain wrong.
I have seen an identical one described by a border collector as a 1916 economy, subsequently withdrawn and plated post war for re-issue. But that it hard to imagine and the chap's judgement was in question especially as he thought that one of Taxicars Border militia badge was the genuine article (despite the fact it has too many titles removed!).
It is odd that the badge has the voided front to display the red backing but then fails to put in the retaining strip to hold the backing in place. If it was not for its appearance in Wilkinsons book then I would dismiss it as an old fake. I don't think it is 1916 economy but neither do I think that it was an official WD sealed pattern badge.
Alan
Last edited by Alan O; 31-12-07 at 02:50 PM.
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