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Originally Posted by Frank Kelley
I think, based upon the numbers extant, these badges were deliberately manufactured, they are certainly not repaired.
A precedent had already been set with the plated 1915 badges, I would assume to distinguish between a worker and a chargehand/manageress, so you end up with a badge of office/rank and a way to recognise a particular individual without initially knowing her name.
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I have seen the 'finer jeweller type hinge' on other badges but have personally not seen it on other OWS 1916 badges , was it used by both Gaunt and Wylie ?
Sally Bosley's site has a Gaunt '1916 Munition Workers nickel plated trianglular badge' which has the basic pin fitting.
Regarding the "precedent" with the plated 1915 badges , I can find no information that these were specifically made/issued to identify the chargehand/manageress. Both “On War Service” Badges, 1914-19 The Official Issues by Ton Tulloch-Marshall and the later "British “On War Service” Badges 1914-1919" by Tony James make no mention at all about there being a different/special plated badge.
While there have been suggestions/theories there was also the idea that the letters on the 1915 badges were indicative of occupations (which they weren't) , as Tony James notes at the end of his article :
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So, nearly a hundred years on, there are still questions to be asked and research to be done.
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PS. Is the plated badge you "snapped up" made by Gaunt or Wylie and can you post a photo ?
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