Gordon's Higlanders

[Peter Brydon]

Mufasa,

I still think you have a very nice original badge,but the mark is still most unusual.

I have been through my book on hallmarks and Aberdeen does not appear to have been an assaye centre ( i.e. where silver items could have been hallmarked ).
It seem strange that the badge should have been marked with the place it was made,rather than the maker. Whilst the badge is marked SIL which I believe means it is silver,it may not have had the silver content for it to have been hallmarked.

I would not worry too much you still have a great, possibly unique item.

Peter

[mufasa]

... Peter thank you very much, and really compliments for your knowledge .... Also from amateur I came to the conclusion that is marked, so why not pure silver ... Oriano

[Peter Brydon]

Silver is quite a soft metal, so the metal which made the badge ( because to the quite delicate design ) might have been hardened by the addition of another metal to make the badge more rigid.

You could have the badge tested to find the silver content.

Some even expensive officers badges were not of sufficent silver content to be hallmarked and are often marked "S" for silver or "P" for silver plated.

Peter

[KLR]

I've heard of a simpler explanation. Silver costs, and it costs more to get it assayed / hallmarked. Prospective purchasers / officers were offered silver items (of 100% quality) without being hallmarked. We have all seen examplesx either marked "silver" or "sterling" by the maker without having gone to the trouble of sending them off to an assay office.

[mufasa]

... Also because I think that those times quality education and culture to beauty and the quality was above the certification ... And there were at the United Kingdom so many talented artisans ... Thanks to all ...

[Peter Brydon]

Mufasa,

Have a look at the Gordon Highlanders officers badge recently listed on the Bluebell Militaria web site.

Very similar to your badge and with an Aberdeen connection.

Peter

[mufasa]

... Thank you very much 8thfoot ... I have just seen ... Really very beautiful!