King's Crown Devonshire Regiment "SMITH & WRIGHT LD B'HAM" Marking.

[Nozzer]

Originally Posted by Luke H

Be good if we could compile a list of badges from that maker.

I would be interested in that. Not sure that I have that many myself though. Hertfordshire Regiment is an obvious that I can think of and I thought I had a 1916 East Surrey, but I just checked and that is Woodward. I am in the process of doing something similar with Lambourne badges and you have reminded me that I still have a few badges to photograph.

[verdun]

hello
Another one from this maker

found in France

have a good day

regards
christophe

[Frank Kelley]

A very typical example of a particularly pleasing badge.

Originally Posted by verdun

hello
Another one from this maker

found in France

have a good day

regards
christophe

[Rob Miller]

Smith & Wright GVR RE, not sure why its blackened?

Rob

[Frank Kelley]

That is a very pleasing badge, but, the back is nicer than the front, which I dare say would have been just as nice until it was issued.

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

I suspect that I've missed noting a common manufacturers mark over the years but I don't think I've seen this form of "Smith & Wright" before.
The badge appears ok, rather worn and battered, you can see daylight through two of the sweat holes.
Is this a well known version of the company marking please, and if so does it help date the badge within the King's Crown period?

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by Rob Miller

Smith & Wright GVR RE, not sure why its blackened?

Rob

Absolutely certain I’ve got an unmarked badge from that die, it was the first badge I was ever given when I was about 8 or 9. Coincidentally it too has a very worn blacking to the front. I’d always assumed this was where the polish hadn’t been cleaned off properly. I’ll try dig it out.

Just remembered I’ve a couple very nice Smith & Wright marked Royal Sussex Regt and South Wales Borderers 1916 all GM badges.

Cheers,

Luke

[fougasse1940]

According to an article in Crown Imperial on RE badges OR's during WW I wore blackened badges 'because of the shine of the badge attracting a bullet. No longer needed after steel helmets were issued (late 1915).'

Rgds, Thomas

[Rob Miller]

Originally Posted by fougasse1940

According to an article in Crown Imperial on RE badges OR's during WW I wore blackened badges 'because of the shine of the badge attracting a bullet. No longer needed after steel helmets were issued (late 1915).'

Rgds, Thomas

Thanks, it's a nice thought that this badge could be dated to 1914/15.

Rob

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by verdun

hello
Another one from this maker

found in France

have a good day

regards
christophe

Jogged my memory ...

[verdun]

its " little brother"

[Frank Kelley]

Indeed!

Originally Posted by verdun

its " little brother"

[Frank Kelley]

Another very nice badge, I remember, as a boy, wondering if I'd ever actually have one!

Originally Posted by Jelly Terror

Jogged my memory ...

[Frank Kelley]

With this particular regiment, notwithstanding any actual maker, the first thing I look at is the quality of the tiny "Semper Fidelis" letters below the castle, not applicable here though!

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

I suspect that I've missed noting a common manufacturers mark over the years but I don't think I've seen this form of "Smith & Wright" before.
The badge appears ok, rather worn and battered, you can see daylight through two of the sweat holes.
Is this a well known version of the company marking please, and if so does it help date the badge within the King's Crown period?

[leigh kitchen]

No, lucky to get the regimental name, someone was an enthusiastic polisher.

[Nozzer]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

Another very nice badge, I remember, as a boy, wondering if I'd ever actually have one!

Here you go Frank, you can finally realise your boyhood dream

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-...53.m1438.l2649