One for the Australians Dress Belt Buckle

[yorkstone]

This buckle appears to be for a woman possibly Nurse or for a Dance dress gilt with silver plated Australian coat of arms.

The maker appears to be British from what I can find on line any suggestions as to its use. Perhaps just civilian but a beautiful buckle nether the less.

Regards
Stephen

[mike_vee]

The maker was MARTINS BIRMINGHAM LTD (MARTIN AUSTEN WINFIELD) , the company produced various styles of belt buckles which had different centres/badges attached.

The various fittings/adjustments were patented and seem to date from 1940's-1950's.

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[yorkstone]

Mike
I believe Edwardian period from on line research

Anyone have any thoughts as to why Australian emblem on the buckle appears IMO to have military Nursing connections

Regards

Stephen

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by yorkstone

Mike
I believe Edwardian period from on line research

The basic buckle design may be from the Edwardian period (original patent date 1917/18) but new "adjustments" and "improvements" were still being patented/registered in the 1950's.

https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publ...C=GB&NR=660336

I think a lot of dealers/sellers assume that the 'patent' date is when all the buckles were manufactured . You would need to discover when the various "Improvements relating to spring belts and other bands for personal wear" were registered to get an accurate date.


Found another example of the same pattern/style as yours but with a Navy (?) connection.


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[mike_vee]

Also found a buckle with the original patent number (660336) which , to me , looks like a basic (early) design.


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[kingsley]

The buckle looks like a modern (and civilian) fashion item to me with a repro badge attached. The 'Advance Australia' badge is a 19th century design used by the Australian Natives Association. I have never researched this organisaton
but it could have had somethng to do with the pre-1900 Federation movement.
The Adelaide Rifles had an ANA company.
I might be wrong but I seem to remember that 'Badge Collector' had a post maybe five years ago whch featured an early and similar badge and I replied with a picture of mine.