Early Anodised Black Watch Bonnet Badge

[hagwalther]

Hi Guys,

Something I picked up from a dealer at the Bromley meeting a few weeks ago.

It's a very nice and early Black Watch bonnet badge so what makes this a bit special and desirable to the anodised aluminium cap badge collector?

Look at the overall finish. It is of a good strike but compared with other more recent Black Watch badges the finish is not so bright.

With the paired photos - the early badge is on the left.

What else do you see? Check out the position and size of the hands and the detail of the face of St Andrew. Also the seeding around the character is different.

What about the detail of the sphinx tail?

And which badge is thinner with a longer looking appearance?

[hagwalther]

Looking at the reverse.

The badge is quite solid with an outline of St Andrew, the Crown and scroll.

Little other reverse detail is apparent and the badge is of almost 0.080" thickness.

This is the sign of an early badge and very different in the detail stakes to the later 'mirror reverse' badges.

[hagwalther]

The makers mark is a bonus.

Look at the lug and check out it's attributes.

It is a wire lug and not stamped, the outside edge of the wire is rounded with a flat top.

Look at the feet - these are sweeping down from the body of the lug.

Do you have any badges (anodised or not) that have lugs that reconcile with the one shown?

Chances are that they were made by Firmin too.

Regards

Chris

[grey_green_acorn]

This badge has two "lugs" in the form of aluminium brackets riveted through the front. Probably a "local" repair or attempt to strengthen the fastening method. It has been in my collection since the mid 1970s and came from a Black Watch NCO. Has anyone got anything similar?

[hagwalther]

Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn

This badge has two "lugs" in the form of aluminium brackets riveted through the front. Probably a "local" repair or attempt to strengthen the fastening method. It has been in my collection since the mid 1970s and came from a Black Watch NCO. Has anyone got anything similar?

Interesting badge and shows that some were recovered for re-use after breakage.

Some of these badges were very expensive at the time and often it would have made economic sense for a soldier to have a badge repaired rather than buy another.

Are you able to measure the thickness of the aluminium sheet used with some digital calipers? Go to the edge of the badge and take some readings of the shear marks found there.

Regards

Chris

[grey_green_acorn]

I get readings of around 0.064" and 0.045" for the bracket fasteners.

[rmarsden]

Hagwalter, your early badge I belive is this pattern first sealed 19 July 1968.
This card and its record sheet does not mention the original supplier but on the 1.7.1987 it was sent to The London Badge and Button Co, and on 25.5.1988 it was sent to Toye Kenning-Spencer Ltd the Masonic regalia specialists.
regards Ron.

[hagwalther]

Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn

I get readings of around 0.064" and 0.045" for the bracket fasteners.

Check the edges of the badge itself where you see little parallel marks - these are shear marks.

My guess is the sheet is 0.072" thick. Take a few readings and average out. To do this I use a 'third hand' modellers stand with crocadile clips to hold the badge (after lining the clips with cloth), a 10x lens and digital calipers. The 'third hand' will steady the badge and the lens will allow you to see what you are doing.

Regards

Chris

[hagwalther]

Originally Posted by rmarsden

Hagwalter, your early badge I belive is this pattern first sealed 19 July 1968.
This card and its record sheet does not mention the original supplier but on the 1.7.1987 it was sent to The London Badge and Button Co, and on 25.5.1988 it was sent to Toye Kenning-Spencer Ltd the Masonic regalia specialists.
regards Ron.

Thanks Ron,

Very interesting especially the info from the back. There should also be a number there often in brackets following the company names. I believe this is for the amount of badges required but am only guessing.

Both the companies you mention are still in business.

Ron, did you manage to reconcile my early, 'full' badge with yours via die flaws etc. I can send enlarged scans as required for this task if you have a moment. The sealing date and my badge does sound promising.

Regards

Chris

[hagwalther]

Originally Posted by rmarsden

Hagwalter, your early badge I belive is this pattern first sealed 19 July 1968.
This card and its record sheet does not mention the original supplier but on the 1.7.1987 it was sent to The London Badge and Button Co, and on 25.5.1988 it was sent to Toye Kenning-Spencer Ltd the Masonic regalia specialists.
regards Ron.

Hi Ron,

Can you let me have the pattern number for this card and also the CB number.

Both should be under the 4x2 cloth.

Regards

Chris

[rmarsden]

Chris, I have found an earlier date on the card of 5-Jan-1966. Did not spot it before!
The Pattern No is 19518. The CB No is 3321. The Spec. No is UK/CIC/2124 D.
Im sure yours is the same pattern.
Regards Ron.

[hagwalther]

Many Thanks Ron !!!

Regards

Chris