William L. Thomson Regimental Badge Specialist

[High Wood]

No, there are no Indian or Gurkha badges in the catalogue.

[dumdum]

A fascinating record and a real "window" into the past. My fav is the "button locket" or however it is described.

[leigh kitchen]

My half a button locket.
Slightly different to the one previously illustrated, and I'm thinking it's only part of the locket as it would've had a circular mount , possibly glazed, for a photo?

[dumdum]

Hi Leigh

Yes, I've had one of these with its glazed back. They have a curious little "sprung" ring that holds the photo and celluloid covering in place.

Somewhere in my my stuff is a small silver soft cap with a ring on the top that has a space for a photo.

Must initiate a search for same!

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by High Wood

The catalogue does not specify if the badges available are full size or what type of fittings they have. Some of the illustrations seem to be the same size as badges that I have in my collection, notably the Canadian and the RNAS badges which I have always thought of as either sweetheart or collar badges. Even the Imperial Service badge is illustrated at the correct size. However, others clearly are not actual size as we all know that an Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders cap badge is not the same size as an Artist's Rifles cap badge.

I obviously have no way of telling if any of the actual badges that I have were made by William L. Thomson as they are not maker's marked.

This is pretty interesting. Thanks for posting this, Simon.

I note that the Thomson's illustration for the ISB bears almost identical characteristics as the ISB stamped with the 'Suttle Cambridge' mark:

ISB Thomson & Suttle Examples 2.jpg

In particular, the thin, inner border and the serif on the tail of the 'S'. Incidentally, the Suttle ISB is the only example I have ever encountered which has an inner border.

Regards,

JT

[Thanks to Simon for permission to use his catalogue image].

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=49233

[High Wood]

The base of the Suttle crown is noticeably not curved but sits flat on the top edge of the tablet.

If Suttle wasn't a badge maker it would be interesting to know where he sourced his badges from.

[Jelly Terror]

Simon,

Thanks for redirecting my attention to this thread via PM - I'd completely forgotten about it.

I have had a quick re-read, and note no discernible answers to the following:

1) Is it anywhere stated within the catalogue (or elsewhere) that Thomson actually manufactured the badges they advertised/sold?

2) How do we know all these badges were available during the Great War (as per your OP)?

3) How do we know the catalogue illustrations were intended as 1:1 scale?

Apologies if I have missed something obvious that answers these queries.

With thanks,

JT

[Sonofacqms]

From my research which is limited Suttle Cambridge had two shops in the town which sold among other things badges.

I have only ever had a few badges with the name on the slider RAMC, Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers, they are not common, but whether they actually manufactured badges I doubt it,

Rob

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

From my research which is limited Suttle Cambridge had two shops in the town which sold among other things badges.

I have only ever had a few badges with the name on the slider RAMC, Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers, they are not common, but whether they actually manufactured badges I doubt it,

Rob

Rob,

Only two examples in the forum 'Maker Mark' section, of which one's legitimacy is called into question.

To examine this a little further, and as a slight digression: if, as seems to be the case, Suttle did not manufacture badges but simply applied their names to existing items, how might the authenticity of any 'Suttle' mark be brought into question? Would the general consensus perhaps be that the most commonly seen examples (few and far between though they seem to be) are the legit versions, whereas those seen less frequently are wonky, or might judgement be based on the authenticity of the badge itself?

Do you still have the Suttle-marked badges to which you refer, or images to show?

Regards,

JT

[Sonofacqms]

JT. I still have the three badge I mentioned, when I next visit my collection I will try to photograph the marks.

Rob

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

JT. I still have the three badge I mentioned, when I next visit my collection I will try to photograph the marks.

Rob

Thanks Rob.

Here is the ISB Suttle mark:

Badge 1b.jpg

Not the best quality image, but gives a reasonable indication of size (ISB width = 1 5/8")

Apologies for going a little off-piste with the Suttle topic.

JT