The Royal Air Force officers cap badge was first authorised for use from 17th April 1918, under Air Ministry Order A.83/18. These original badges were made by Gaunt and had three main parts (the crown, the eagle and fronds (not a wreath, fronds being palm leaves)) in gilt metal on a wool backing, with each piece riveted to a metal backing plate. The back of the badge had a gilt Gaunt 'medallion. These are generally known as 'Gaunt 1st Pattern badges' (see below).
Within a year or so badges in bullion were being produced, most likely to be because of cost or manufacturer variation as opposed to a specific order, and these remained essentially the same through to the early 1950s when the crown changed upon HM Queen ascending to the throne. The shapes of badges can give an indication to age, with many early badges being more oval or teardrop in shape, but its not a specific dating rule. Likewise, some early badges had the four fronds in more of a 'V' shape at the bottom, instead of curving upwards.
Due to a shortage of the gold bullion that badges of all three services were made with, 'economy' badges were introduced in April 1944 (for the RAF) with the three pieces again made in gilt metal, but now secured by bend over 'prongs', the backing of the badges being a thick hessian type material to give rigidity. Obviously stocks of these 'economy' badges were used well after the end of WW2. There were also 'semi-economy' badges produced with metal crown and eagle but bullion fronds, or bullion crown but metal eagle and fronds. You occasionally see badges with bullion crown, eagle and fronds but these tend to be theatre made.
|