Metal sliders

[Mike H]

Can anybody throw any light on something for me.
In my collecting i have a few staybrite badges that have a metal slider fitted rather than an a/a one(Manchester Regt,Northamptonshire Regt,RA beret).The joint between the two appears to have been flattened thus holding it in place.Where these some of the earliest produced badges ? Had the manufacturers not found a suitable way to affix the slider ?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Alan O]

Mike,

Early a/a badges had a problem with breaking. Consequently various changes were made to designs. You do see the odd a/a with a riveted brass slider made by Gaunt London from the late50s-early60s. I have had a Q/C REME and a RE one with brass sliders and have seen a few others. Not very common and they were back to a/a sldiers by 1958 and the new Inf Bde badges.

Alan

In 1948/49, when the first anodised badges were being proposed & made, the designers were having problems with the bonding agent which fastened the slider to the badge. This went on for years. By 1953/54 Gaunts & Dowlers experimented with the brass slider. What they did as part of the design is leave an aluminium post coming from the badge. Then they would fit the slider over it & press it down; this would give it the rivet effect. I have 2 sealed patterns sealed in 1954, but by 1955, these had been cancelled. In 1955 a new bonding agent was devised for use in the nuclear power industry. This was so strong it solved the problem of the bonding of slider to badge.
Peter

[Mike H]

Thanks for that gents,much appreciated.
No wonder nobody can get anything to repair broken lugs or sliders if it comes from the nuclear industry.id love to know how many rare items have gone in the bin because the slider or lugs are broken.

[manchesters]

Hello,

I realise this post dates back 6 years or more but I woulld be interesting in seeing photos of the AA Manchester Regiment badge that Mike H refers to.

So MikeH if you are still out there this one is for you.

regards

[2747andy]

Simon,
It's probably a Grove made badge? I have an example too, but won't be able to post an image until Wednesday

Andy

[chris cunniffe]

Hi I have a total of 13 one a repair Grove. Gaunt. T&S.see my site for details chris