WW1 hate belt and maker marked badges observation

[mooke07]

Hi all,

I picked up this WW1 hate belt that was disintegrating and have looked at all of the badges on it as a representation of theatre-collected badges I would think from the Western Front. A couple of badges appear to be missing but not a bad cross section. Couple of interesting buttons like Doune's.

A couple had their lugs or slider removed and were sewn on like the domed 7th VB Royal Scots with lovely holes punched through it. The 2nd City of Manchester shoulder title is nice as is the cavalry scout arm badge.

The Y over QOR Glasgow shoulder title is broken and is not a T over so perhaps a little later or had a separate T when worn.

The NZ infantry badge is cast.

The only maker marked badges are the what I think is the lugged bronzed Civil Service Rifles with Gaunt plaque and the Welsh Guards shoulder title which is Gaunt stamped.

The Robin Hoods badge was noted by the seller as not likely to belonging on the belt as was Gaunt Birmingham marked to the slider, so have ignored that one. The Notts and Derby was partially blackened but I think is dirty as from my understanding none of their battalions wore a blackened standard badge.

So I thought it interesting how few of the cap badges were makers marked and reminds me of the comments before on the Forum that makers marked badges are not as common as we think for the WW1 period in general.

Cheers Dean

[Alan O]

An interesting mix with the pre 1908 RS VB, the post 1915 WG badges and the 1916 un-pierced RA badge. I suspect your PofW feathers is an officer's collar badge with lugs and a plaque. Is it die cast with a smooth back?

Could you take a photo of the Argyles? The solid centre is probably pre 1910.

the Mancs pals s/t and the scout badge are the most desirable but altogether a great find.

[mooke07]

Hi Alan,

I will post a picture of the A&S when back home from overseas in a week or so. Here is the PoW feathers badge (have it on my phone) die struck and it overlaid with my Civil Service Rifles badge I assumed it to be one of them but always struggle with these.

Cheers Dean

[Alan O]

The long lugs do suggest cap rather than collar.

[Peter Brydon]

There are pictures of members of the Liverpool Scottish (possibly too young to have been members of the pre1908 volunteers ) during WW1 wearing the cap badge of the 8th (Scottish ) V.B. of the KLR so it was not unknown for obsolete badges to have been issued/used during WW1 to make up for shortages.

( The same applied in WW2, a well known collector in the North West, sadly no longer with us, was issued with a Earl of Chester`s Imperial Yeomanry cap badge during the war. )

P.B.

[MH331]

Dean,

A cracking trophy belt. I have a real soft spot for these belts. A great way to see badges as they were originally collected/acquired.

best

Mark

[mooke07]

Thanks Mark,

I to like a contemporary collection like this and one can study the lugs, tabs and sliders on original badges. Hex lugs on the shoulder titles for example and as noted pre-war badges still in use, cheers Dean

[mooke07]

Rear of 2nd City of Manchester Battalion shoulder title, cheers Dean.

[billy]

Nice find Dean very nice!

[grenadierguardsman]

Dean
Is the Welsh Guards maker marked ?
Andy

[mooke07]

Yes indeed it is Andy - I had one already and identically marked on the bottom Gaunt London, Cheers Dean

[billy]

Dean are you going to dismantle the belt or try to Salvage / Preserve ir? You cannot tell condition from photos?

[mooke07]

I cannot keep it in one piece sadly Billy as it just comes apart when you try and move or straighten it. The belt itself has rotted. I will salvage the badges and photograph them all, off to find some badges in London now, cheers Dean.

[REMEVMBEA1]

Originally Posted by MH331

Dean,

A cracking trophy belt. I have a real soft spot for these belts. A great way to see badges as they were originally collected/acquired.

best

Mark

I do think trophy belt is a much better description than hate belt which to my mind is a ridiculous name for a collection of allied badges by an allied soldier.

[Jackhr]

Yes I agree ,hate belt is such a bad name to call these.Here are my 2 belts one from a 13th Light Horse chap (large belt) and a 8Bn chap these are extremly hard to find not stripped out and tell a story of where he may have been.