Help please with my EARS badge

[blackpowder44]

Opinions please on this EARS badge, advertised as silver, no marks anywhere to be seen. Rear of badge has broach pin, also small loop. I assume the loop[ is to attach a safety chain. If so not strictly military, but "sweetheart" broach.
Before I bid on this badge I looked up 16th. May 2007 Bosleys catalogue page 42 item no 476, my badge conforms in size to their offering. What price would you put on my badge. Thanks. John.

[wright241]

Originally Posted by blackpowder44

Opinions please on this EARS badge, advertised as silver, no marks anywhere to be seen. Rear of badge has broach pin, also small loop. I assume the loop[ is to attach a safety chain. If so not strictly military, but "sweetheart" broach.
Before I bid on this badge I looked up 16th. May 2007 Bosleys catalogue page 42 item no 476, my badge conforms in size to their offering. What price would you put on my badge. Thanks. John.

John, No silver marks is not surpising. Its probably rarish, but thats doesn't
mean the price would be high - depends on who wants it.
In general, an unmarked silver sweetheart brooch might only fetch 20/30 ukp.
It starts going up when you get an S or sterling, or HMS example etc, and
then comes the quality. It has a locally made look about it. have a browse
around the famous Sally Brooches site to give you an idea of the maximum
prices. I have an unmarked NZ one somewhere. I paid about 15 pounds for it.
I have never seen one to an East African regiment before.

[zob]

Hi,

I'm given to understand that originally, these pieces were intended as collars as both left and right-handed versions are known to exist, and given the impracticality of bush hat for vehicular troops - led to its adoption as beret badge. Which, is probably why very few right-handed badges actually survive. That isn't to say that it could not also have been worn as a sweethearts brooch. I have two in my collection, one which is the same as yours "engraved with brooch fitting" and the other in theatre cast silver "lettering in relief" but, with flat cast lugs - north and south. I've attached a scan of these alongside a blackened and brass cap badge with corresponding East African Reconnaissance Squadron shoulder titles.

I hope this is of some help.

Zob.

[blackpowder44]

Thank you both for your replys and for the pictures of your badges Zob. It is interesting that you have a broach fitting one the same as mine. Would you say that it was always made as a broach and if so being quite a small unit there shouldnt be many around, yours John.

[zob]

Hi John,

Yes - I would say that it was originally made in this fashion with a brooch fastener but, still a terrific conversation piece of a rare and colourful unit.

Zob.