Silver marks on officer badges

[Alex Rice]

Hi All
There have been some discussions over the years on markings on officer full dress badges, the latest being this one: https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=76290. I have been trying to build up a collection of infantry officer full dress badges so I thought I'd start a thread with some of the marks I've acquired, which I hope other members will be able to add to, to build up a reference.
I am not including hallmarks in this, as they are self-explanatory, just other markings. The use of just 'SILVER' on a badge sets off alarm bells, especially a, now quiet, seller called badgeman, who was peddling fake badges with a silver stamp on them.
Also, I have a few badges which have no markings at all on them, but which I am certain are solid silver.
Here are some of mine.
1 - Gaunt made badge with just an 'S' with serifs. I believe from sometime in the early 1900s, with curved maker stamp
2 - Gaunt made, pre-WWI with different style of maker mark, also with serifs.
3 - Gaunt, but with word 'STERLING', probably 1930s - WWII period
4 - Gaunt, straight mark but with plain 'S' - no serifs
5 & 5(1) - Ludlow, 'STERLING' pre WWII

[Alex Rice]

6 - Plain 'S' - no serifs or maker mark
7 - Gaunt, curved mark with 'STERLING'
8 - L&Co 'STERLING'
9 - Just 'STERLING' - no maker mark, I think this is c.WWI
10 - 'STERLING SILVER' and no maker mark, I think WWII
11- Probably a private maker with stamp TD and 'STGSIL'
12 - Modern maker 'EGF' with .925 stamp as well, and also the anchor stamp from a hallmark, but no actual hallmark.

With all the dealer lists I have looked at over the years, I have paid particular attention to the marks on the badges and I think these are all good. It'd be great it other members could show some of their badges and build on this.
I hope it is of some use.
Cheers,
Alex

[Frank Kelley]

I now strongly suspect that L&Co was actually simply another mark used by Ludlow, what is the badge please, I take it that it's loops are copper wire?

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

6 - Plain 'S' - no serifs or maker mark
7 - Gaunt, curved mark with 'STERLING'
8 - L&Co 'STERLING'
9 - Just 'STERLING' - no maker mark, I think this is c.WWI
10 - 'STERLING SILVER' and no maker mark, I think WWII
11- Probably a private maker with stamp TD and 'STGSIL'
12 - Modern maker 'EGF' with .925 stamp as well, and also the anchor stamp from a hallmark, but no actual hallmark.

With all the dealer lists I have looked at over the years, I have paid particular attention to the marks on the badges and I think these are all good. It'd be great it other members could show some of their badges and build on this.
I hope it is of some use.
Cheers,
Alex

[Alex Rice]

Hi Frank
To answer your questions:
Yes - copper loops
Badge is a Border Regiment badge
L&Co is actually thought to be for the retailers Liberty & Co of London which was a posh retailer.
Cheers,
Alex

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

L&Co is actually thought to be for the retailers Liberty & Co of London which was a posh retailer.

Lots of L&Co makers marks but doesn't look like any that Liberty & Co used.

https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/...mingham-L.html

Nearest I could find was for Lawson & Co (probably) of Buchanan Street, Glasgow.
https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/...sgow-KR.html#L

[Frank Kelley]

What is the evidence to suggest Liberty & Co, I have certainly never seen any whatsoever?

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Hi Frank
To answer your questions:
Yes - copper loops
Badge is a Border Regiment badge
L&Co is actually thought to be for the retailers Liberty & Co of London which was a posh retailer.
Cheers,
Alex

[Alex Rice]

Hi guys
When I first got the badge I posted it on the forum and was told Liberty & Co. Here's the original post: https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ghlight=border
I think Mike has nailed it though and it is most likely Lawson. That would definitely make more sense for a Border Reg badge.
Cheers.
Alex

[Frank Kelley]

Certainly lots of speculation, but, I can't see any evidence in that thread, a very pleasing badge though.

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Hi guys
When I first got the badge I posted it on the forum and was told Liberty & Co. Here's the original post: https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ghlight=border
I think Mike has nailed it though and it is most likely Lawson. That would definitely make more sense for a Border Reg badge.
Cheers.
Alex

[Alex Rice]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

Certainly lots of speculation, but, I can't see any evidence in that thread, a very pleasing badge though.

Hi Frank
Hardly speculation, Simon seemed quite positive with his post:
"Hello,
The mark on the rear is not the maker, but the retailer.
Quite posh really as its Liberty & Co. London.
regards"

Cheers,
Alex

[silverwash]

another copper lugged example

[Alex Rice]

What regiment is that? It looks like Rifle Brigade.
Cheers,
Alex

[silverwash]

affirmative. the obverse is quite worn with the polishing it has had during its lifetime by previous owner(s). soft stuff this cast silver.

[Frank Kelley]

Sorry, I don't understand, where is the actual evidence?

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Hi Frank
Hardly speculation, Simon seemed quite positive with his post:
"Hello,
The mark on the rear is not the maker, but the retailer.
Quite posh really as its Liberty & Co. London.
regards"

Cheers,
Alex

[Frank Kelley]

I don't think I have ever seen the hallmark shown for Lawson on any cap badge, did they make silver cap badges?

Originally Posted by mike_vee

Lots of L&Co makers marks but doesn't look like any that Liberty & Co used.

https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/...mingham-L.html

Nearest I could find was for Lawson & Co (probably) of Buchanan Street, Glasgow.
https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/...sgow-KR.html#L

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

I don't think I have ever seen the hallmark shown for Lawson on any cap badge, did they make silver cap badges?

To be honest , I have no idea I just thought their mark was very similar to the one on the Borders Reg badge . Also they were Glasgow based.