War Dated Badges

[Doug N]

I have a (very) few officers badges which are hallmarked with WW2 era dates. All are sterling badges by Gaunt. They are Calgary Highlanders (1942), 48 Highlanders (1941), Regina Rifles (1945), & Lord Strathcona's Horse (1944). There surely must be others. Anyone have something - would love to see pictures.

I've been told that Britain imposed a tax on silver. This was not payable until the raw material had been crafted into some artifact & sold. The silversmith's hallmark was one indicator that the piece had been inventoried & the tax remitted. Artifacts which were exported were apparently exempt from this tax.

If true, this would explain why a great number of precious metal Canadian badges are simply marked with a 'P' or 'S', and not a formal three piece hallmark. Also (if true) the hallmarked badges would have been sold & bought in England, & should only exist for those units which were overseas at the time.

[wright241]

Sounds like you have some nice sterling silver badges.
I would strongly suggest that you google (uk) for silver marks and silver
hallmarks - most of these sites provide good explanations concerning
the various marks etc.

[41st]

There is a 1940 hallmarked example in my album of SWB items, amongst others.
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...hp?albumid=157
Cofion,
Kevin

[Bill A]

Doug, Could you post an image of one of the sets of hallmarks? Your theory is very interesting, and I think you are on to something.
For reference here is an online Sterling Hallmark site.
Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks Hallmarks, and Makers Marks

[Voltigeur]

Here is another website on British silver hallmark.
Jo
http://www.silvercollection.it/Engli...ermarks3F.html

[Doug N]

There's nothing unique about the hallmarks themselves. All are the typical three cartouches with the anchor, lion, & letter - indicating Birmingham, sterling, & the year respectively. The badges also have the maker mark JRG&S in capital letters curved down - indicating JR Gaunt & Sons. I'll try the picture Bill, but I don't have very good macro zoom ability - it may be a bit muddy.

I have another hallmarked piece, this one with a London guild, 1940 hallmark. The maker 'LS' is unknown to me. This one is not strictly a military badge, but rather the broach presented to female civilian staffers at Canadian Military HQ.

[Bill A]

The image is good Doug.
To follow up on the theory, would all officer's badges have been acquired in the UK? Or were there suppliers in Canada? Supposition, many would have been bought in Canada.

[Doug N]

I'd expect you're correct, Bill - ie. most officers would have aquired their badges in Canada. I assume those bought in England were purchased directly from Gaunt or one of their distributors, by individuals who wanted something more uptown. (or perhaps by guys who were transfered between units; were commissioned overseas, etc.)

I don't assume that I have the only four war-time hallmarked Canadian badges in existence. There must have been vain & wealthy officers from other units who bought some dazzle. So where are the hallmarked badges for the Armoured Corps, the Queens Own Rifles, the Canadian Scottish, etc? They should be out there somewhere.

[Doug N]

A-HA! Check these out on ebay.
Item number: 270305868637