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  #31  
Old 10-03-20, 02:31 AM
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Hi all

Just doing a bit of searching for one of my "fav" topics and came across this thread. I had contact with a man who was working on a book of these "unofficial" badges but don't know if it ever came to pass.

I supplied him with some images and he was able to tell me about some of my badges and also correct some of my misconceptions about them.

I've always wanted one of the Spurgin postcards but I always seem to miss out at auction.

I love the joke that "taking away the badge" suggests that the holder will be conscripted and will no longer be in a "protected" industry.

Having "chased" the unofficial badges for more than a few years now, I'm constantly surprised at the endless variety that existed.

Question (half serious..): was the guy who was making the badges in a protected industry?
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  #32  
Old 10-03-20, 09:18 AM
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The Spurgin postcard caught me eye , hadn't even noticed the date , just thought it was a bit of fun. Only cost me a couple of £'s .

I guess the people making the "official" badges were doing 'government work' but those making "unofficial" ones (especially after they were banned) were basically just 'badge makers' with no protected status.
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  #33  
Old 21-05-20, 02:38 PM
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Thumbs up Official On War Service Badges

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chipper View Post
Officially, there were 4 issued:
1) The common round "1914 On War Service", issued by the Admiralty
2) The crossed cannon "enrolment" badge, issued to workers waiting for placement in factories - they were originally issued enamelled, but then soon changed to all GM
3) The common "1915 On War Service" badge, also as above, originally enamelled then changed to 'economy'.
4) The 1916 "On War Service" triangular badge, issued to women workers. These come mostly in brass, but all gilded, white metal and nickel plated, and occasionally with the corners rounded off.
Finally got round to getting the enamelled "enrolment" badge.

Picked up a small job lot , enrolment badge , Wylie 1916 (sharp corners) and a small tin box (more about that in another thread).

Paid just under £40.00 for the lot (average price on eBay for 1916 badges is £25.00) so was very happy with price.

1-2. 1914 - Only other 'variation' I've seen is one with 'screw post' fitting.

3-4. 1915-16 "Enrolment" enamelled (not sure of year this was issued/in use).

5-6. 1915-16 "Enrolment" plain .

7-8. 1915 OWS enamelled (small Gaunt stamp on back of crown).

9-10. 1915 OWS plain (L series Gaunt).

11-12. 1916 OWS Gaunt.

13-14. 1916 OWS Wylie

15-16. 1916 OWS Wylie rounded corners (looks manufactuered rather than filed).

17. Lottie Meade (Munitions worker) stamp.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 1914 Front.jpg (35.8 KB, 7 views)
File Type: jpg 1914 Rear.jpg (46.2 KB, 3 views)
File Type: jpg 1915-16 Enrollment Enamel Front.jpg (55.5 KB, 10 views)
File Type: jpg 1915-16 Enrollment Enamel Rear.jpg (43.0 KB, 4 views)
File Type: jpg 1915-16 Enrollment Plain Front.jpg (57.5 KB, 6 views)
File Type: jpg 1915-16 Enrollment Plain Rear.jpg (49.4 KB, 2 views)
File Type: jpg 1915 Enamel Front.jpg (42.4 KB, 6 views)
File Type: jpg 1915 Enamel Rear.jpg (37.2 KB, 4 views)
File Type: jpg 1915 Plain Front.jpg (44.5 KB, 6 views)
File Type: jpg 1915 Plain Rear.jpg (44.5 KB, 5 views)
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  #34  
Old 21-05-20, 02:40 PM
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Default Official On war Service Badges part 2

Remainder of photos :
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 1916 Gaunt Front.jpg (46.1 KB, 6 views)
File Type: jpg 1916 Gaunt Rear.jpg (50.2 KB, 2 views)
File Type: jpg 1916 Wylie Front.jpg (49.8 KB, 6 views)
File Type: jpg 1916 Wylie Rear.jpg (42.5 KB, 6 views)
File Type: jpg 1916 Wylie Curved Front.jpg (46.2 KB, 11 views)
File Type: jpg 1916 Wylie Curved Rear.jpg (51.8 KB, 7 views)
File Type: jpg Stamp.jpg (50.0 KB, 9 views)
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  #35  
Old 21-05-20, 04:46 PM
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One that I've got.
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File Type: jpg user627_pic153894_1525618120.jpg (100.1 KB, 10 views)
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  #36  
Old 21-05-20, 09:13 PM
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Blimey Mike,

You got all of that for under £40???

You do have a great eye for a bargain.

Michael
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  #37  
Old 21-05-20, 11:21 PM
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An absolute bargain indeed! Nice work Sir. I especially like the Wylie example...nice!
Cheers
James
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  #38  
Old 22-05-20, 09:26 AM
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Excellent work and some very nice ones there. The 1916 woman's badges often come with rounded corners, professionally done, or even possibly made that way, as you say. The thinking is it was either simply a fashion choice, or the more pointed corners caught in clothes. Either way, it's an original, and excellent example.

Cheers, Tim
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  #39  
Old 22-05-20, 09:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by magpie View Post
One that I've got.
Another excellent one, not one you see often, and this is a beautiful example. Thank for showing it

cheers, Tim
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  #40  
Old 22-05-20, 09:55 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shiny View Post
Blimey Mike,

You got all of that for under £40???

You do have a great eye for a bargain.

Michael
The lot was 2 badges and the tin , other badges were picked up over the past 2 years for on average £5.00 each.

It's all down to patience ....... and luck !

I browse for mislabeled lots or ones that don't contain any 'key words' in the description (so don't show up on searches).

This lots was described as "Antique WW1 Brass Princess Mary Christmas Tin w/ WW1 Workers Badges" , no mention of 'munitions' or 'war service'.

Then (if there are no bids) I bid the minimum amount or place the lot on my 'watch list'. At the last minute I'll bid my maximum (no bidding war) and sometimes I'm lucky and get the lot . In this case if there had been one more bid I would have lost the lot !
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Job lot.jpg (47.8 KB, 9 views)
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  #41  
Old 22-05-20, 11:03 AM
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Still a cracking deal. The Christmas 1914 tins are selling for over £30 on eBay and the one you have is in excellent condition....a vey nice find indeed. The two badges that came with it are an excellent bonus.
Cheers
James
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  #42  
Old 13-07-20, 02:27 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike_vee View Post
Remainder of photos :
Hi,

I think that those "rounded corners" must have been a standard "run" of badges as I have several and they are exactly the same dimension-wise. If they had been Joe (or Josephine?) Smith with a file they wouldn't be so uniform.

And I think that the idea that the sharp corners would catch on people and clothing is on the money too. Heaven knows there would be enough sharp stuff in a factory (I've worked in one and I have the scars to prove it...)

I don't, however, think that they were as common as the sharp cornered effort.

You also see the "turned down cornered" badge. That clearly solves the problem of those nasty sharp bits but I think that THOSE are definitely someone with a pair of pliers!
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  #43  
Old 13-07-20, 08:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dumdum View Post
I think that those "rounded corners" must have been a standard "run" of badges as I have several and they are exactly the same dimension-wise.
The one I have was made by Wylie , did Gaunt also make a "rounded corner" version ?
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  #44  
Old 06-08-20, 03:13 AM
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I'll check my couple of "rounded" efforts and see who made them! Interesting to see that you sometimes see them worn as blouse badges and sometimes on the "munitionette's" caps.

I had occasion to dig out a badge I got from eBay for the "Joan of Arc" Hostel(s) and dated "1916". Will post a pic when I'm not working anymore (thanks, Covid......NOT). It's a "big 'un" in silver-plated bronze.

Was told that this was for women working in the factories. Sheer laziness means I've not Googled it yet.
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  #45  
Old 06-08-20, 06:12 AM
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Bosley's sold one of the badges .

https://www.sallybosleysbadgeshop.co...37#prettyPhoto

Code: 61114


"Joan of Arc" hostel was situated in Plumstead for Munitions Workers at Woolwich .
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File Type: jpg Joan of Arc.jpg (80.9 KB, 6 views)
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