On War Service 1915 badge

[mike_vee]

There are two parts to this puzzle :

Part 1
The 1914 enamel OWS badge is routinely referred to as the "Admiralty Badge" but recently I (unsuccessfully) put a bid on a badge that has "Admiralty" where the date is normally seen and no enamel. It had a stamped/impressed number on the back (on badge not on fitting) but no makers mark. Bosley's has a similar nickle plated badge.

Questions : Is this the original style or one of the later issues ?
................Were there two different types of badges (Admiralty/1914) ?

From Tony James article :
"The Admiralty badges were initially un-numbered . This was later rectified with the issue of numbered badges in early 1916 to replace those un-numbered ones."

Question : Is this accurate and does it refer to only the "Admiralty" badges or the 1914 ones ...or both ? Would they actually replace 99,999+ badges ?

Part 2
Another recent acquisition , a 1914 OWS with no enamel. It has makers mark (DG COLLINS LONDON) , number on button hole fitting (62341) and has a 'raised' letter B on the badge itself (like series mark on 1915 badges).

Questions : Is this simply a manufacturing error or were some badges made without enamel (economy version) ?
................ Could the letter B indicate that more than one series of this badge was produced ? Original series numbered 1- 99,999 then B series (economy version ?) starting .................again at 1 ?

NB. Enamel badge I have has number A68320 stamped on button hole fitting , anyone got enamel badge with either B on fitting or 'raised' on actual badge.

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