BLACKENED BRASS BADGES

[LONGSHANKS]

Hi all, I have a question for the more informed. Should I expect on blackened TF badges etc, that the back of the badge should have the paint on also. Or are they found with the blackened finish only on the front. Also, are there known badges where it's a bi metal but in blackened finish.

Thanks

Simon.

[KLR]

This is fairly straightforward. If a badge is authorised to be blackened - or "bronzed" as the ACD confusingly called it - then they would have been coated (by a process other than 'paint') at the point of manufacture all over.
There are quite a few badges around that ought to be blackened and for one reason or another the blackening has come off. Or, it is perhaps possible that the process at manufacture was missed out.
Perhaps someone 'painted' just the obverse in such cases.
No bi-metal badge was ever authorised to be blackened, it is totally illogical.
There is however, evidence that some were blackened locally in theatre.

Simon,

Don't know if you remember this old thread, but there is some interesting info relevant to your query:

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...3&postcount=32

Cheers,

Peter.

[LONGSHANKS]

Thanks for that. I thought as much on the bi metal blackened. Most probably as you say, painted by the original owner in field or done by collector/dealer maybe later in the day.

Cheers and thanks for the confirmation.

Simon.

[LONGSHANKS]

Hi Peter, no; didn't see that thread. But would imagine what you say in it would make sense. They would need a "touch up" now and again. And this could apply to many battalion's who have black badges doing the same.

I think I'll keep looking for the sealed patterns, both blacked front and back, and no bi metal.....

Simon.

[2747andy]

Originally Posted by KLR

This is fairly straightforward. If a badge is authorised to be blackened - or "bronzed" as the ACD confusingly called it - then they would have been coated (by a process other than 'paint') at the point of manufacture all over.
There are quite a few badges around that ought to be blackened and for one reason or another the blackening has come off. Or, it is perhaps possible that the process at manufacture was missed out.
Perhaps someone 'painted' just the obverse in such cases.
No bi-metal badge was ever authorised to be blackened, it is totally illogical.
There is however, evidence that some were blackened locally in theatre.

Julian,
not wanting to go against what you may of uncovered at Kew, however in my experience bronzed and blackened are two different types of finish with regards to ORs badges. Blackened such as KRRC and many of the London Regt badges and bronzed such as some Yeomanry badges e.g. Denbighshire Huss and Dorset Yeo!

Andy

[KLR]

Andy, it is indeed confusing and I meant precisely what I wrote. The ACD - and WO tenders - use the term "bronzed" for blackened badges such as KRRC and various TF units. They used the same term for what we might term a 'brown' colour such as some TF, yeomanry and household cavalry badges.
I think perhaps the use of the word here therefore relates to the process rather than exact colouring. This is different to "private painting" such as Peter describes.

[Peter Brydon]

I have come across a number of bi metal Kings badges which have been blackened so they could be sold as 5th Bn cap badges, I have also seen the same thing done to Kings Regiment collar badges.

It does remind of something that happened to me some considerable time ago, I bought from a dealer who sold other peoples badges on commission, what was sold as an all white metal Kings badge.

When the badge arrived the colour of the scroll looked brighter than the colour of the horse. A bit of a rub on the scroll with a finger revealed the brass beneath. The vendor had coated the scroll with the silver replating solution you can buy.

When I returned the badge the vendor was furious, apparently it was my fault I shouldnt have " cleaned" the badge.

P.B.

P.S. Dress Regulations 1900 also use the term "bronze" in connection with some badges of the Rifle Brigade,KRRC and Royal Irish Rifles.

[davec2]

Following on from Peter's experience, can I ask if nickel plating was common, the reason I ask is that over the past few months, several repairs to white metal badges that I have carried out have left me with gilding metal.

Were they originally produced this way or has someone in the past tried to ' hoodwink ' potential buyers ? the other alternative of course is that I am confusing nickel plate with silver plate, I must admit though that silver plate does not lift as easily as the plate on the badges I am referring to ??

Dave.

[BILL DUGGAN]

In Stephen Bulls very interesting booklet 'Volunteer !' the story of the Lancashire Rifle Volunteers he relates how 'stove blacking' was used on the badges and titles of some units '

My T/6/Liverpool items are still quite black whereas my 5/T/ S. Lancashire shoulder title has the blacking worn off and appears as a bronze colour.

I shouldn't think that Volunteer +Territorial units kept to Pirbright standards of spit 'n' polish.......well they didn't when I was in 'em.

[Peter Brydon]

Bill,
It is a very interesting little book but I cannot remember the reference to the use of "stove blacking" and I wonder if there was a revised edition of the book?

Peter

[TRT]

I have a Leeds pals badge blackened to the rear but GM to front with traces of being blackened. I thought this strange but then came across a reference to them blackening their badges in Egypt prior to going to France. Obviously polished back to GM in theatre, blackened in theatre also?

TRT