On War Service 1915 badge

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by dumdum

Hi folks
Here are some of the War Munitions Volunteer badges that I've put together. Pretty standard ones, I guess, but I thought it was interesting to see that one of the two enameled badges has no number and also a variation in the horseshoe fitting.

You will also note a difference in the font of the numbers.

The enameled badge has had its original horseshoe fitting removed at some point , either due to damage or possibly for mounting in a display.

You can see where a file or grinder has been used to remove the 'stump' , part of the makers mark (N Ltd) is missing.

A later/newer/smaller horseshoe fitting has been attached which would also explain why it has no number.

The different (smaller) font of the numbers on the last badge could be due to it having six digits which would be too big to fit on the horseshoe fitting. This is also probably the reason that the maximum number on the 1915 OWS badges was 99,999 then a 'series' letter was used.

Perhaps they didn't expect to issue so many WMV badges and thought they could get away with one series ? Remember , these badges were supposed to be handed back and replaced with the OWS one when the 'volunteer' started working.

.