Gilt or Brass?

[Ahikiwi]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the world of badge and insignia collecting (coming up 1 year) and was wanting to know how to tell the difference between brass and gilt badges. Could someone tell me if my badge is brass or gilt? Thank you

[nbroadarrowz]

I think this is a brass badge that has been well cleaned.
Gilt badges have a sparkle/lustre to them.
Barry

[atillathenunns]

I concur with Barry your badge is brass made by Gaunt, easiest way to tell is your badge is die struck, NZ gilt and NZ bronze badges made by Gaunt are also die struck but usually have a solid back.

The following gilt and bronze badges are from the late Laurie Osbourne collection.

512793188.jpg
420132948.jpg

[Ahikiwi]

Thank you for helping me out, good to have an idea of what to look for.

[Riddick1]

Hi all , i have very similar question as Ahikiwi. After much reading about fire gilded badges its still not entirely conclusive to me how to tell a extremely defining difference but i have what i believe is a Fire gilded NZ Artillery Badge approx 1920 or thereabouts. I attach 2 photos showing the Artillery badge beside a standard looking brass badge. I have taken photos in neutral light which doesn't really show how yellow goldish/coppery look of the Artillery badge is but does show difference between the 2 badges colouring.
Comments most welcome.
compare pair 1.jpg

compare pair.jpg

[atillathenunns]

Originally Posted by Riddick1

Hi all , i have very similar question as Ahikiwi. After much reading about fire gilded badges its still not entirely conclusive to me how to tell a extremely defining difference but i have what i believe is a Fire gilded NZ Artillery Badge approx 1920 or thereabouts. I attach 2 photos showing the Artillery badge beside a standard looking brass badge. I have taken photos in neutral light which doesn't really show how yellow goldish/coppery look of the Artillery badge is but does show difference between the 2 badges colouring.
Comments most welcome.
Attachment 282149

Attachment 282150

Both badges look brass to me, any chance of photo showing the backs?

[Riddick1]

Hi again.
Tried in more positive light & with a back photo, Still doesnt show true difference to naked eye , maybe i need a better camera but anyway see what you think of these, Cheers
[ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH]20230411_153226.jpg[/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[atillathenunns]

Originally Posted by Riddick1

Hi again.
Tried in more positive light & with a back photo, Still doesnt show true difference to naked eye , maybe i need a better camera but anyway see what you think of these, Cheers
[ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 282299[/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Yep, both are definately brass badges, the artillery badge looks to be NZ manufacture.

A gilt badge will look like this one.
628130265.jpg