Bullion Badges

[badgecollector]

hi all
hope this is in the right place??
does anyone collect bullion badges. i am looking for items up to and including WW1
BC

[54Bty]

If the Gunnery Prize badge is spare I have a good home for it.

Some of mine.

[badgecollector]

hi
sorry, nothing spare at present. i have been buying pieces of bullion now on and off for a couple of years. the workmanship on some is fantastic and quality far superior to what you get today.
will dig out a few more items and post soon
BC

[Jibba Jabba]

I try and buy the pre WW1 best shot badges if I ever see them although they appear to be rather expensive to buy these days. 60 Pounds for an example in 1998 seamed like a fair price back then.

[54Bty]

Just a few more for you.

[John Mulcahy]

The Victorian era bullion badges are indeed very beautiful. Here is one of my favourite items from my collection.

The Royal Munster Fusiliers Officer's round forage cap badge.

[stonehouse boy]

Hi,
Has anyone found a way of cleaning bullion wire after it has tarnished.

John

[41st]

I use a mixture of household ammonia mixed with washing up liquid, at approx 1:6, applied with cotton wool buds and then washed off.
Seems to work quite well.
Cofion,
Kevin

[stonehouse boy]

Hi Kevin,
Thanks for that you sometimes come across a bullion badge that has not been stored well.
The wire in places looks good but other parts of the badge have become poor
its one of those things do I leave well alone or could it be cleaned.

John

[Cardiffbloke]

Wet a large clump of kitchen towel in water with a small amount of fairy liquid then Dab Dab Dab! When it seems that no more crap is depositing on the towel, change the washing up liquid water for clean stuff and Dab Dab dab again. Then same again with dry kitchen towel and put in a nice warm airey place to dry. Do not rub as you might dislodge the wire. Thats all you can do i am afraid.... any more and you will ruin the badge
Howard

[Cardiffbloke]

Take a look at this little beauty! Missed out by Linaker and Dine in their book as the proof of its existance it has only just come to light. One of only 2 known examples to still exist! Bonus.....
H

[badgecollector]

hi Cardiffbloke
thats the sort of stuff that keeps me geting up and out to car boot sales at 5am to fosic through a box of junk
keep posting more bullion
BC

[Jibba Jabba]

ammonia

Ammonia makes brass brittle. I once cleaned a gilt badge with ammonia I when tried to re-attach it to a backing board........the blades fell off.

[Bill A]

Some Canadian shoulder titles have been made in bullion wire. Here is an example of one to the Royal Canadian Dental Corps.
At least some of the Canadian bullion wire titles were made up in Japan during the Korean War. Canadians on repatriation leave in Japan often had tailors make up bullion wire titles for their coming home battledress. The Japanese wanted the cash and the quality and price attracted the Canadians.

[41st]

Originally Posted by Jibba Jabba

Ammonia makes brass brittle. I once cleaned a gilt badge with ammonia I when tried to re-attach it to a backing board........the blades fell off.

Which is why I stated that it should be diluted and washed off.
I've never had a problem with any bullion or silver and gilt that I've cleaned in this way. If you look at the tips in the back of K&K you will see the same method recommended.