4th D.A.C. - New Addition

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

I just added a new addition to my album - 4th Division Ammunition Column - in sterling silver (unmarked).

Cheers, Roy.

[Bill A]

Hi Roy, I had a look at the badge, and I am a bit confused by your notes. Is the badge marked to Birks? Or, is it the sterling mark that is not present?

[Roy]

Hi Bill,

Sorry about that. I guess I was struggling a little as I have put my spectacles down and not found them yet..

The badge is indeed marked 'Birks 1916'. It is made of stirling silver but not marked as such.

Photo attached which should help.

Cheers, Roy.

[Bill A]

Thanks Roy. The markings are consistent with the catalogue entry in Charlton's guide.

[TRT]

Lovely badge. We're these silver examples for officers and for service wear?

TRT

[whizzbang]

Originally Posted by Roy

The badge is indeed marked 'Birks 1916'. It is made of stirling silver but not marked as such.

Hi Roy,

Sterling silver items made in Canada (as your Birks badge was) were usually marked "Sterling" and if made in the UK they were usually hall marked with the "lion passant" to denote sterling (i.e., 92.5% silver content) plus marks for the location where it was assayed and the year it was made. There are lots of silver badges without sterling marks - some of these may be sterling that was not assayed but I think most are just other grades of silver (e.g. Coin silver, 90% silver). The metal forming the balance of the alloy is mostly copper.

Cheers, Ian.

[Bill A]

TRT, to answer your question, badges produced in sterling or silver plate were usually intended for officers.

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

As always many thanks for sharing your comments and thoughts.

Ian you have put into works what I suspected. I have a number of solid sterling silver badges that are hallmarked and of course clearly made in Britain. And as you say a number of what appear solid silver (Canadian) badges are just marked 'sterling' (sometimes not even that), so these would have most likely not been made in Britain but Canada.

Repeating your comments I know but just having my coffee

Lovely badge this one, so very pleased to have it. These silver 'officers' badges do make for a nice and interesting topic within Canadian collection in general and CEF specifically.

Cheers chaps, Roy.

[TRT]

Thanks for reply re the wear of these silver badges but what I was getting at is would they have kept them for dress wear or actually wore them in France & Flanders with their service uniform in the lines / at the guns and in the rear zones etc. I would have thought silver would be too shiny but if not cleaned would quickly tone down? Your thoughts?

Regards

TRT