RAF officers badge maker marked and with "S" - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Peter Brydon · #1 01-01-16, 04:55 PM

I bought what I think is a WW2 made RAF officers cap badge this morning ( now being offered for sale on a website I should say ).

The badge is in mint condition and is all metal construction on a cloth back which is marked with the Royal Arms and " By appointment J.R.Gaunt and Son Ltd London " printed in blue on the back.

The thing that is still puzzling me is the small white paper label also on the back with "S" on it.

Does anyone one know what the "S" stands for please.

Thanks in advance.

P.B.

GriffMJ · #2 01-01-16, 04:57 PM

Is it a fully metal "bird"? The front image is very small .....

altcar73 · #3 01-01-16, 05:08 PM

Peter,

The only explanation I can think of is "S" for "sample".

Dave.

Phil2M · #4 01-01-16, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by altcar73

Peter,

The only explanation I can think of is "S" for "sample".

Dave.

Likewise

magpie · #5 01-01-16, 05:38 PM

S May be the person who made it or examined it before it left the factory, if it was sample I'd expect it to be stamped in ink so you couldn't sell it not a paper label that may fall or peel off.

Peter Brydon · #6 01-01-16, 05:41 PM

Thanks,

Griff , the parts of the badge are all metal with no embroidery.

Altcar, Phil and Magpie,

Thanks for those suggestions.

Peter

GriffMJ · #7 01-01-16, 06:05 PM

Peter

If thats the case then Gaunt marked their cap badges S or P (stamped) to indicate silver or s/plate. So it could be the same?

SAS1 · #8 01-01-16, 06:10 PM

These have started to appear more often on ebay with a variety of letters. I think it's a particular machinist or inspector, nothing more.

magpie · #9 01-01-16, 06:30 PM

Can I just say that I've noticed that it doesn't say to who it's appointed, if I remember correctly in an email I received from Buckingham palace your royal warrant is wrong, it's an offence to sell items with unorthorised warrants an not being complete the one shown isn't.

magpie · #10 01-01-16, 09:15 PM

Perhaps it's a good time to remind some of this thread.

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ad.php?t=30013

altcar73 · #11 01-01-16, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magpie

Can I just say that I've noticed that it doesn't say to who it's appointed, if I remember correctly in an email I received from Buckingham palace your royal warrant is wrong, it's an offence to sell items with unorthorised warrants an not being complete the one shown isn't.

I'm not quite sure what this has to do with the question originally asked. However, when the badge was made (and we don't know when it was made) Gaunt may, at that time, have been the holders of the Royal Warrant.

Dave.

magpie · #12 02-01-16, 12:00 AM

Wether it's printed on a can of food, a piece of card or on the back of a badge something that looks like a royal warrant but isn't is more than probably there for no other reason than to deceive and isn't worth the ink used to print it, and as SAS1 has pointed out they have started to appear more often on eBay so perhaps peters badge has yet to see it's 1st birthday.
Go to post 28 of the above thread link, that was my response from buckingham palace where the royal warrants are issued, it's not a warrant as it doesn't conform and neither did those I sent in in my original email asking the question making what was printed as such worthless and for deception only.

Peter Brydon · #13 02-01-16, 08:04 AM

Someone has gone to an awful lot of trouble if the badge has been meant to deceive ( which I don't think is the case ) as at the end of the day the badge cost me very, very little.

I do wonder if the "S" does indeed stand for sample and this is why it does not say which member of the Royal Family the "By Appointment " is to.

P.B.

tonyb · #14 02-01-16, 09:03 AM

Possibly by Appointment to a foreign Royal House?
Or even simpler, contact Gaunts' rep by appointment, if this is indeed a sample.
Just a thought

Nice item Peter.

altcar73 · #15 02-01-16, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Brydon

Someone has gone to an awful lot of trouble if the badge has been meant to deceive ( which I don't think is the case ) as at the end of the day the badge cost me very, very little.

I do wonder if the "S" does indeed stand for sample and this is why it does not say which member of the Royal Family the "By Appointment " is to.

P.B.

Peter,

I don't believe that your badge is a "dud" repro. or anything like that. The workmanship looks to be excellent. In my opinion its a period piece probably produced by Gaunt as a sample for the Air Ministry. Plus, I've not seen any others. I would not become too distracted by the "By Appointment" issue.

Dave.