One for the Australians Dress Belt Buckle - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

yorkstone · #1 09-04-23, 08:26 AM

This buckle appears to be for a woman possibly Nurse or for a Dance dress gilt with silver plated Australian coat of arms.

The maker appears to be British from what I can find on line any suggestions as to its use. Perhaps just civilian but a beautiful buckle nether the less.

Regards
Stephen

mike_vee · #2 09-04-23, 10:33 AM

The maker was MARTINS BIRMINGHAM LTD (MARTIN AUSTEN WINFIELD) , the company produced various styles of belt buckles which had different centres/badges attached.

The various fittings/adjustments were patented and seem to date from 1940's-1950's.

.

yorkstone · #3 12-04-23, 11:01 AM

Mike
I believe Edwardian period from on line research

Anyone have any thoughts as to why Australian emblem on the buckle appears IMO to have military Nursing connections

Regards

Stephen

mike_vee · #4 12-04-23, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkstone

Mike
I believe Edwardian period from on line research

The basic buckle design may be from the Edwardian period (original patent date 1917/18) but new "adjustments" and "improvements" were still being patented/registered in the 1950's.

https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publ...C=GB&NR=660336

I think a lot of dealers/sellers assume that the 'patent' date is when all the buckles were manufactured . You would need to discover when the various "Improvements relating to spring belts and other bands for personal wear" were registered to get an accurate date.

Found another example of the same pattern/style as yours but with a Navy (?) connection.

.

mike_vee · #5 12-04-23, 12:51 PM

Also found a buckle with the original patent number (660336) which , to me , looks like a basic (early) design.

.

kingsley · #6 13-04-23, 01:25 AM

The buckle looks like a modern (and civilian) fashion item to me with a repro badge attached. The 'Advance Australia' badge is a 19th century design used by the Australian Natives Association. I have never researched this organisaton
but it could have had somethng to do with the pre-1900 Federation movement.
The Adelaide Rifles had an ANA company.
I might be wrong but I seem to remember that 'Badge Collector' had a post maybe five years ago whch featured an early and similar badge and I replied with a picture of mine.

badgecollector · #7 13-04-23, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingsley

The buckle looks like a modern (and civilian) fashion item to me with a repro badge attached. The 'Advance Australia' badge is a 19th century design used by the Australian Natives Association. I have never researched this organisaton
but it could have had somethng to do with the pre-1900 Federation movement.
The Adelaide Rifles had an ANA company.
I might be wrong but I seem to remember that 'Badge Collector' had a post maybe five years ago whch featured an early and similar badge and I replied with a picture of mine.

yes i did
heres the link
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...hlight=unknown

mike_vee · #8 13-04-23, 12:34 PM

Found another of same buckle design .

.

yorkstone · #9 13-04-23, 08:30 PM

Badge Collector thanks for your input Kingsley I disagree not a new item an older item I believe interesting read the link provided by BC.

Mike note no patent number on my buckle which I believe indicates erlier than when patent number was issued either way a nice item I will display with other Austrailian items I have.

An enjoyable and interesting conversations
Thanks to all

Regards

Stephen

mike_vee · #10 14-04-23, 06:28 AM

Found an old post which includes this :

Quote:

The clasp is made of copper alloy and is marked "MARTIN"/PAT. No. 660336/ MADE IN ENGLAND.

A bit of research has revealed that it was made by Martins Birmingham Ltd. This company was founded in the 1880s and originally made saddles and leather harness trappings.

By the late-1940s/early-1950s the company was still based at its original premises but was manufacturing crocodile skin handbags and belts based upon a design patented by the founders son, Patrick Alphonsus Martin. This patent relates to the patent number above.

......to wear around their slim-waisted late-1940s/early 1950s dresses.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=47412

Posts 12 and 14

.

yorkstone · #11 14-04-23, 10:14 AM

Mike

Many thanks great info, but again no PAt number or made in England on my buckle so IMO an earlier example.

These items are not common as this is the first of its type I have come across in many years of collecting.

Also the potential Austrailian Natives Association connection I find interesting but this leads away from military connection.

A fascinating little item.

Regards

Stephen