Named badges?

[Brian Conyngham]

Hi All

Not sure if this topic has been discussed before.

Last week I acquired a framed British Para beret badge with a Guards Ribbon Backing. What I did not realize at first but only discovered on closer scrutiny after removing it from the frame that the slider had an initial and name faintly but neatly stamped on it, W BLAKE .

Are named badges common and would it affect it value in any way?

Regards
Brian

[MH331]

Not common in my experience and offer research potential if of Great War vintage less so WW2 simply because service records are not yet available online.

[KLR]

(Apart from the great artist and poet)
I also have a number of badges with initials and a few with service numbers mostly from the 1920s onwards. But as noted, there are no accessible records. I did look up service numbers in regimental lists of the fallen (of, in my case, King's) but didn't find any matches.

[Sonofacqms]

I had a bi-metal Bedfordshire Regt cap badge with a named slider, I offered it on the forum and it was bought by a forum member, who kindly researched the name for me and offered it back as I had other badges associated with the man.

A rare occurrence maybe, but any knowledge is good knowledge and having badges related to a person creates more interest IMO.

Rob

[dumdum]

Yes, I have had at least one cap badge on a WW1 "hate belt" that had initials crudely scratched on the slider.

Probably not a widely practised effort but an "anti-nicking" attempt anyway...

[mojob123]

I'm sure this guy should be fairly easy to find. Doubt there were many with those initials in the....hold on.....

[leigh kitchen]

Originally Posted by mojob123

I'm sure this guy should be fairly easy to find. Doubt there were many with those initials in the....hold on.....

Reminds me of my old colour sergeant, he'd wander around the barrack rooms picking up bits of kit like knives, forks, boot brushes that were laying around in a provocative manner and when timorously challenged would give an evil grin and say "It's mine, it's got my sign on it" and point to the WD crows foot stamped on it.

[Frank Kelley]

I don't think it is something you are ever going to encounter a great deal of to be honest, generally speaking as long as the particular badge in question is original and the naming is contemporary and you are paying for the badge without the price being in any way loaded, I think you should be okay.
I would be aware of the recent spate of badges with numbered sliders though.

Originally Posted by Brian Conyngham

Hi All

Not sure if this topic has been discussed before.

Last week I acquired a framed British Para beret badge with a Guards Ribbon Backing. What I did not realize at first but only discovered on closer scrutiny after removing it from the frame that the slider had an initial and name faintly but neatly stamped on it, W BLAKE .

Are named badges common and would it affect it value in any way?

Regards
Brian

[Alex Rice]

I have a few with numbered sliders and I have been able to trace the original owner of one who turned out to have been a POW in the Far East during WWII, so it definitely enhances the history. Always worth checking the numbers and names against the War Graves Commission lists and the POW lists.
Cheers,
Alex

[bess55]

Unless the A O C is for Army Ordnance Corps - which the badge is . . .

[Brian Conyngham]

Thanks guys for the input, this is only my second named badge.

The first was an incredible reunite with a group of medals I have. I first bought the medals and about 3 years later I found a SA North African era formation flash that had clip on studs sewn onto it for easy removal. Lo and behold the name and number were written on the rear of the flash of the chap who's medals I had in my collection, rather freaky feeling to find it after such a break in time!

[Alex Rice]

That's a fantastic reunite!