Very Different Silver War Badge Variation - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

sabrigade · #1 06-10-08, 04:37 PM

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I very recently acquired this badge for my collection. The obverse is very different to most of the variations and makes that have been documented. It has a very low issue number and, as such, was the third badge issued to a South African serviceman.

Unknownsoldier · #2 06-10-08, 07:47 PM

Hi,

I'd be interested in some more close-ups as personally I'm 'not a fan', TBH I think the finish is lacking (i.e. it is rather rougher than one would expect) and the reverse pin assembly is definitely aftermarket.... a nice variation, is it silver or bronze (as it looks 'bronzy' in the piccy's). But tbh I'm not 100% sure on it, anyone else care to wade in?

Welcome BTW

Tom

sabrigade · #3 09-10-08, 05:15 AM

Thanks for the welcome and I hope to post many more items of note as time passes. This badge was purchased at a coastal city in South Africa and has not been cleaned and/or treated for years. It is silver and this will be clearer after it has been cleaned. With regard to the post- manufacture comment, that I cannot answer. My humble opinion is that given the early number of issue of this specific badge, it could have been one of a few that were manufactured in this way. I have many badges of SA issue in my collection, including one in its case of issue, but none that even appear similar to the manufacture and specifically the backing or reverse of this specimen.

Unknownsoldier · #4 09-10-08, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabrigade

Thanks for the welcome and I hope to post many more items of note as time passes. This badge was purchased at a coastal city in South Africa and has not been cleaned and/or treated for years. It is silver and this will be clearer after it has been cleaned. With regard to the post- manufacture comment, that I cannot answer. My humble opinion is that given the early number of issue of this specific badge, it could have been one of a few that were manufactured in this way. I have many badges of SA issue in my collection, including one in its case of issue, but none that even appear similar to the manufacture and specifically the backing or reverse of this specimen.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, once cleaned it may yield yet more information, which I will be very interested in, I agree with your last comment I have seen quite a few and I've never seen anything like this one :-)

ATB,
Tom

sabrigade · #5 12-10-08, 05:15 PM

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My wife has made an effort to clean the badge as can be seen. The patent and maker marks are now clearly visible. Any comments would be welcomed.

sabrigade · #6 13-10-08, 01:52 PM

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The obverse that clearly indicates that the badge is silver.

SilverBadgeMan · #7 05-05-09, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabrigade

Attachment 9536

Attachment 9537

It has a very low issue number and, as such, was the third badge issued to a South African serviceman.

Hi,

SWB 'SA 3' was issued to Private 387 James Meredith JONES, 3rd SAI from SA Expeditionary Force HQ, London, on 17th February 1917. Jones enlisted on 16th August 1916 and was discharged with 'Sickness' on 12th August 1916, having served overseas. If you'd like a copy of the roll page, drop me a PM. This was one of just under 500 badges (SA1 - SA474) issued to members of the South African forces who were discharged in the UK (or at least for whom the roll pages still survive at the NA).

All the best,

Ed

Traist · #8 06-05-09, 05:03 AM

Hi Ed, I see you found it. Have a grand day. Regards Andrew

sabrigade · #9 06-05-09, 05:54 PM

Hi Ed,

Thank you for ending months of speculation.

Regards,

Will

SilverBadgeMan · #10 06-05-09, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabrigade

Hi Ed,

Thank you for ending months of speculation.

Regards,

Will

No problem, Will, glad to have been of some assistance. I've got your PM and will forward on a copy of the roll.

Best wishes,

Ed

mtrpltpara · #11 07-05-09, 09:08 PM

Great example of Forum help.
Bill.

dumdum · #12 20-09-11, 04:04 AM

Hi

Just read through the posts here. This badge is flat-backed as early badges should be. There is a "domed" effect on later ones.
I would think that your fitting comes from something else like a medal ribbon bar and has been applied to make ABSOLUTELY sure that it wasn't going to be lost!

I have a few NZ badges: NZ 82 and NZ 159 but missed NZ 127 on eBay a few weeks back.

If anyone has any NZ-prefix badges from NZ 1 - NZ 200 I can help with identification of the recipient.
If you happen to have NZ 3, I'm your man as I have his medals (one that I DID get on eBay

).
BTW, these early NZ issues seem to have been soldiers with NOK in England.

sabrigade · #13 01-01-14, 11:31 AM

Does anyone have the details of the recipients of SA128 and SA354?

Regards,

Will

High Wood · #14 20-01-14, 01:25 PM

I think that you have an original badge which has had the original brooch fitting replaced with a commercially made screw fitting, probably after the original was damaged or for better security.

dumdum · #15 19-01-17, 02:43 AM

Hi

I have an SA badge (SA 449 ,or SA 499, from memory). This turned up in New Zealand years back.

I think that that patent marking comes from something else and has been adapted to suit the wearer. Has anyone looked up that Bolton's Patent bit? I think that I've seen it on the back of a medal ribbon bar.