Somerset LI (Gaunt) & Devon Yeomanry (Smith & Wright) for opinions please.

[Paddy]

Hello All

Can I have opinions on the 2 badges pictured below please. The Somerset LI is the small sized badge and it is maker marked JR Gaunt London. There is no dot between the Gaunt & London and it is 12mm long. The Devon Yeomanry appears to be unused and is maker marked Smith & Wright BHam.

If these are original then they will be offered to members before elsewhere.

Many thanks in advance

Paddy

[Alan O]

The SLI is late 40's or 50's and appears to have been dug up.

[Luke H]

Both good.

I agree with Alan the SLI looks ground dug. Dipping it in vinegar should help remove the staining and corrosion.

[Alex Rice]

I thought the SLI was copper or brass and a fakers attempt at a WWI economy badge? Is is brass or WM? Looks like it may have been artificially aged to deceive?
Cheers,
Alex

[Luke H]

The SLI will be the smaller post WW2 beret badge, Alex.

[Alex Rice]

Was that a brass/GM badge?

[Alan O]

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Was that a brass/GM badge?

There was no authorised brass version.

[Luke H]

I’m supremely confident if that badge is dipped in vinegar / cleaned it will be Wm.

Have never seen a Gm strike from the small Gaunt die.

From the front you can see the badge is a different colour to the brass slider behind esp. the high points and centres of the coronet ‘bricks’.

[dumdum]

Hi,

Add a little bit of table salt to your white vinegar and leave it for about 10 minutes. Be sure to boil it in water afterwards or it can develop patches of verdigris.

Hope this helps!

[Paddy]

Hello All

Many thanks for your comments. I should have been I think I should have been clearer at the start to avoid speculation. I was happy that the Somerset LI badge was a beret badge made of white metal that was just very dirty. My main reason for posting it was that I just had a small doubt about it's authenticity as the Gaunt mark was about 1mm longer than the 11mm that I would usually expect. I have soaked the badge in clock cleaning solution and it has removed the dirt (I don't think it was buried, if it was then I don't think it was for a long time as there is no pitting)

Many thanks again

Paddy

[Luke H]

The Gaunt mark is a known one Paddy and ‘mostly’ found on good badges.

To allay your concerns I would be happy with yours.

[Home Guard]

Paddy, What a pleasant change after the badge was cleaned!!! What exactly is clock cleaning solution, as I might need to get some.

Thanks,

Terry

[Paddy]

Hello Terry

Clock cleaning solution is an ammonia based cleaner that can be purchased ready to use or you can make your own which is what I do using the following recipe.

Locate a plastic container that can hold at least a gallon of clock-cleaning solution and has a secure lid. Remove the lid and pour a half of a gallon of purified water into the container. Mix 4 ounces of commercial acetone and 4 ounces of oleic acid with the water until the chemicals are thoroughly combined. Acetone acts as an emulsifier and helps ensure the ingredients combine. Incorporate 4 ounces of clear liquid soap--either dish or clothing detergent--to the solution and blend. Add 8 ounces of ammonia with a 27 percent concentration level and mix again until all ingredients have been completely integrated. When you come to use the solution combine equal parts of solution and water. I usually soak for about an hour and then rub the badge with an old toothbrush. If there is still staining then I will soak for a further hour and so on, if the tarnishing has not gone after an overnight soak then it is unlikely it will. Always wear rubber gloves when working with the solution. Prepare the solution and clean your badge in a well-ventilated area to limit your intake of toxic fumes produced by the chemicals in the solution.

I find that it is very good for gilt badges as it is non abrasive but it is equally good on gilding metal, brass and white metal. I would avoid bronzed badges as it will strip the bronze coating.

Paddy

[Luke H]

I’d be confident distilled vinegar from the supermarket would’ve also removed the stains / verdigris patches still visible, and I imagine at a fraction of the cost without any toxic fumes.

Some examples below.

[dumdum]

Originally Posted by Paddy

Hello All

Many thanks for your comments. I should have been I think I should have been clearer at the start to avoid speculation. I was happy that the Somerset LI badge was a beret badge made of white metal that was just very dirty. My main reason for posting it was that I just had a small doubt about it's authenticity as the Gaunt mark was about 1mm longer than the 11mm that I would usually expect. I have soaked the badge in clock cleaning solution and it has removed the dirt (I don't think it was buried, if it was then I don't think it was for a long time as there is no pitting)

Many thanks again

Paddy

Hi Paddy,

I must try that solution out! The nice guy on the Repair Shop is always using it.