A painted Leicesters badge?

['Ticker' Riley]

I picked up the badge shown below a while back now, partly because it seemed intriguing despite its forlorn appearance. The badge is one of the ‘kitten-faced’ type, and an all-gilding metal example at that. As will be seen its front has been painted for some reason, though I am personally at a loss as to know why??

I would think it is impossible to know how long the badge has been like this, and it did cross my mind that it could have been fairly recently painted, rather than having been done nearer the time of the Great War when it would have been in wear. Has anyone ever come across anything similar before, or have any thoughts on why this might have been done?? With thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Best regards

Martin

[Sonofacqms]

Martin,

Whenever anyone has a badge that was not meant to be blacked and it shows traces of black paint, I think you can only speculate, it may have been done on a whim, or for a reason.

As you say a Great war era badge and may have been blackened prior to 1916 when steel helmets were introduced by someone taking part in a trench raid.

As to whether you can age paint by some sort of chemical analysis, I can only guess.

One of life's mysteries.

Rob

[High Wood]

Could it be luminous paint? Useful at the front of a column during a night march.

[Sonofacqms]

Is there such a thing as luminous black?

Rob

[REMEVMBEA1]

Originally Posted by High Wood

Could it be luminous paint? Useful at the front of a column during a night march.

Don't give people mideas or we'll see a rash of Gloucesters luminous back badges for night operations.

['Ticker' Riley]

Many thanks for the comments Gents. Although it’s not obvious from my poor photos I’m afraid, whilst the tiger itself was painted with what seems to be a black matt paint, the grass on which it stands was actually painted a very dark green.

To be honest I don’t think the badge was originally blackened, and the way in which the thick white gloss has been applied to the two scrolls, practically obscuring all the lettering, makes me inclined to think we could perhaps be looking at the work of a child?

Maybe someone got hold of their granddad’s old cap badge and thought they’d give it a makeover!? Having said that, I was concerned I may have missed something, and that there could have been some other legitimate reason why this would have been done to, what was, a perfectly good badge??

I am tempted to remove all the remaining traces of paint, which would certainly double its value given the dealer I obtained it from had it marked up at a mere £7.00. But for now I think I will keep it just as it is, even if it is a bit of an oddity!!

Anyhow, thank you all again for taking the trouble to respond.

Best regards

Martin

[High Wood]

I am now thinking it might have been worn by a soldier on a camouflage course. Which reminds me of the old joke:

Agitated RSM. 'Pte Horrocks, I didn't see you on the camouflage course this morning'.

Pte Horrocks, 'Thank you, Sir'.

[Sonofacqms]

Martin,

I think you are spot on with your theory, I did not realise the "grass" had been painted green and the rest etc.

Nothing to do with trench raids or anything else Great War.

Rob

[KLR]

I think it was an attempt to "transform" it into a 'regular' badge, possibly even into an officer's one !?
Apropos another thread, I have at least two KLR OR badges that have had siders replaced by blades and "painted" one black and another possibly "S&G"

[High Wood]

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

Is there such a thing as luminous black?

Rob

Yes, indeed. It shows up in the light.

[2747andy]

Martin,
I simply think it's an attempt to make it look like a standard Bim badge? Perhaps post war or just by a collector for display purposes! I doubt any sober infantryman would attempt to attend a muster with a painted badge?

Andy

[magpie]

I think it needs a touch of the nitromors.

['Ticker' Riley]

Thank you for all the latest responses Gentlemen. Interesting to hear that both Julian (KLR) and Andy (2747andy) seem to think the paint job could have been someone trying to turn an all-gilding metal badge into something else, though if it had been a collector then they did a very poor job of it as far as I can see!

I’d certainly agree that it’s highly unlikely a serving soldier would have taken a perfectly serviceable badge and then plastered it with paint, so I am still of the opinion it could well have been the handiwork of a child. Having said that, the examples that Julian speaks of for the Kings mean there is actually some kind of precedent for painting badges, albeit to make them look like officers’ ones (by the way I wouldn’t mind seeing these sometime Julian, if you didn’t mind?).

Many thanks again for the postings, it’s always good to have the views of others.

Best regards

Martin

[2747andy]

Originally Posted by 'Ticker' Riley

Thank you for all the latest responses Gentlemen. Interesting to hear that both Julian (KLR) and Andy (2747andy) seem to think the paint job could have been someone trying to turn an all-gilding metal badge into something else, though if it had been a collector then they did a very poor job of it as far as I can see!

I’d certainly agree that it’s highly unlikely a serving soldier would have taken a perfectly serviceable badge and then plastered it with paint, so I am still of the opinion it could well have been the handiwork of a child. Having said that, the examples that Julian speaks of for the Kings mean there is actually some kind of precedent for painting badges, albeit to make them look like officers’ ones (by the way I wouldn’t mind seeing these sometime Julian, if you didn’t mind?).

Many thanks again for the postings, it’s always good to have the views of others.

Best regards

Martin

Martin,
If keeping it, I'd leave it as it is, it's a curio and to remove the paint would make it just another common or garden all Gm badge.

Andy