Subdued CEF white metal badges

[N.S. Regt.]

A couple of days ago I won a 25th Badge on ebay which was a little different from others I have seen. Through a lucky quirk of fate when I called B.C. to make the payment a friend was in the shop at the time who was coming home to Nova Scotia the next day so I already got the badge. The badge is a somewhat hard to find Tiptaft made piece normally found in bright white metal but this one has a light tan colored finish. I have only seen this on one other badge a 17th Battalion badge which is also normally found in white metal which has been in my collection for over 20 years. The ebay listing for the 25th badge listed the finish a gilt but I would not describe it as that it was also described as a collar but most definitely a badge. I am unfamiliar with the finish on these two badges in my collection and would like to know if it is refereed as a specific process and if other white metal CEF badges have this finish as well.

I am including two photos of both the 25th and the 17th Battalion badges you can clearly see the difference in color when the Bright metal versions are placed beside them. looking forward to your views and and comments on this type of finish.

Stephen

[whizzbang]

Hi Stephen,

I am not aware of any contemporary finish like the kind on your badges. There would not be a tactical reason to subdue the 17th badge as they were a reserve battalion based in England during the war. My guess is that the colouring is age patina - though what set of conditions could create that colour is interesting. Without seeing them in hand I could be way off base here but I would call the colour "Pub Ceiling" - maybe they were kept in the house of a heavy smoker...

Cheers, Ian.

[Bill A]

Following along Ian's thought, is it possible that a chemical reaction is taking place with the residues left from production? (Other than the residue from second hand smoke.)

[N.S. Regt.]

Thanks guys for your thoughts I been thinking about this as well I did give both badges a good clean with a brush and soapy water when I got them so I do not think it is a build up of dirt from over the years. I did take a good look with a glass and I do think it is applied and wonder if it could be a protective coating which has browned over the years like varnish or shellac. As I recall Tiptaft also made the 17th Badges so perhaps it is a coating they applied meant to be removed before being issued. The Tiptaft made white metal 25th badge as well as the matching collars are somewhat hard to find and I do not believe it was commonly issued as I have never seen it as part of a veterans groupings or in a use in a period photo. All this is pure speculation on my part but if the 25th badge and the 17th badge was not issued perhaps it is a protective coating of some sort.

Stephen

[WJ Miller]

Hi Stephen,

If it is a coating of some kind I would think it would be quite evident and you didn't need to scrutinize them too much. Any white metal badges I've had that were varnished were obvious, both by discolouration and areas that were lifting/missing from age and wear.

I'd tend to agree with Bill A. Keep in mind white metal is still a brass alloy. (50-60% Brass added with nickel, tin, zinc). Could these badges be the result of a bad batch of metal with too high a brass content or through a chemical reaction (acids), become dezincified and thus appearing slightly yellow (Brassy)? My two cents.

Interesting badges nonetheless...

[N.S. Regt.]

Hi Bill

It does look like some sort of finish I have attached some closer photos of the 17th Badge. On the high points you can see wear and the white metal is coming through and the back does not appear to have the finish is still fairly bright. It certainly does not appear to be brassy but it looks to be a tan color. I will say the both of them do look quite different from the others I have seen that have oxidized most are a grey to black.

I agree they do look interesting and thank you for your comments

Stephen

[mad4thcef]

I bought a NB MG DRAFT badge 2 years ago and it was off on the finish.

It had what Ian called pub ceiling due to extreme smoke tainted the finish!

It cleaned up rather nicely.

I hope this helps