Theatre made? with possible provenance York and Lancaster Regt - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Paul Spellman · #1 13-02-15, 11:14 AM

Will be getting sold, but thought I would show here

Paul Spellman · #2 13-02-15, 11:15 AM

Rear of badge

badger123 · #3 13-02-15, 12:17 PM

It looks like a Gaunt made Officers badge with enamelled petals.

They came in slightly different variations, sometimes with makers mark sometimes without.

Is there anything in particular that makes you think its theatre made Paul?

Plenty of example in this excellent book!

http://www.sellmymilitaria.com/site/...968&Itemid=477

Paul Spellman · #4 13-02-15, 12:29 PM

Thanks Ivan,
I was guessing theatre made because of the lack of gilt finish and cast appearance of the rear also the small note that the owner had served in the Arakan, being a Y&L virgin and not seeing your very nice examples beforehand led me to that thought.
Cheers
Paul

badger123 · #5 13-02-15, 12:41 PM

I was starting to get excited thinking that you had found a theatre made version with enamelled rose petals!

The gilt very often wore off and I'm sure that's happened to yours.

The 9th Bn did indeed spend time in Arakan and saw quite a lot of fighting in Burma.

Ivan

KLR · #6 13-02-15, 06:12 PM

Thanks Ivan, I couldn't remember which Bn was in Burma. But yes they had a locally made "brass" badge which is often mistaken for a 1916 "all GM" badge.

(though I'll leave eg enamelled Y&L to your expertise !)

But nice badge Paul !

badger123 · #7 13-02-15, 06:54 PM

You are quite right Julian, there is an all brass version that is as you point out, often mistaken or sold as a 1916 economy badge (which didn't exist).

I was told that the all brass version was supposedly made in Italy during WW2 for the 6th battalion but I'm not convinced of that story either! I have searched all the archives I can and regimental histories but can find no mention of an all brass badge being produced or the need to have one made.

There are plenty of the crude 'bazzar made' badges around but none are near as good quality as the all brass version of the type sold as WW1 economy badges.

I think the truth may lay in this badge which shows an all brass version but has a fake Gaunt makers mark.

So for me, the all brass versions are actually 1970's made Gaunt fakes.

Ivan

#8 13-02-15, 07:43 PM

Ivan,

Agreed, the brass badges (less the Indian cast examples) are copies.

Speaking of Indian cast examples there is a nice one on ebay at the moment but for £49.99 + postage I fear its a little over priced.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YORK-AND-LANCASTER-REGT-CAP-BADGE-BRASS-WITH-ORIGINAL-RED-BACKING-100-ORG-/161585623028?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item259f40 eff4

Quote:

Originally Posted by badger123

You are quite right Julian, there is an all brass version that is as you point out, often mistaken or sold as a 1916 economy badge (which didn't exist).

I was told that the all brass version was supposedly made in Italy during WW2 for the 6th battalion but I'm not convinced of that story either! I have searched all the archives I can and regimental histories but can find no mention of an all brass badge being produced or the need to have one made.

There are plenty of the crude 'bazzar made' badges around but none are near as good quality as the all brass version of the type sold as WW1 economy badges.

I think the truth may lay in this badge which shows an all brass version but has a fake Gaunt makers mark.

So for me, the all brass versions are actually 1970's made Gaunt fakes.

Ivan