Gaunt Markings

[George Davies]

Hi Members.
Can anyone give me any positive info.re Gaunt markings on officers silver badges stamped with a P. I have been told that it denotes Silver Plate and another theory that it is on Silver badges made from Silver which does not reach the standard required to be fully Hall Marked.
Hope someone can enlighten me.Regards to all, George Davies.

[gb64]

Hello George,

I'm not sure if the Gaunt mark would appear different on an Officers badge,[we will both have to wait on that answer] but i'm 99% sure that the letter P on it's own is saying that it's silver plate & not Sterling silver which i think is around 92% soild silver & would show the standard hallmarks of the date etc.Silver plate is the adding of a thin layer of silver to the base metal,it's the one that discolours the most if i'm right,i'm sure some of the Silver collectors will put us right.

Regards

Gerard

[Frank Kelley]

Hello George,
I've always believed that the letter "P" on the reverse of Gaunt's made officer's badges denotes "plated" and is not seen on their hallmarked badges.
Kind regards Frank

Originally Posted by George Davies

Hi Members.
Can anyone give me any positive info.re Gaunt markings on officers silver badges stamped with a P. I have been told that it denotes Silver Plate and another theory that it is on Silver badges made from Silver which does not reach the standard required to be fully Hall Marked.
Hope someone can enlighten me.Regards to all, George Davies.

[GriffMJ]

Just to back up what Frank has said..... here are two examples..... one ordinary Officers white metal SD Cap motto and a silver plated ...marked "P". I believe there is also one marked "S" that is not hallmarked.

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Griff,
I do like that top motto, was it expensive?
Super piece!
I had an old friend in the 17/21st, a wartime commission, he served thoughout the North African and Italian campaigns, sadly now gone and we never did get to discuss badges, a great shame!
Regards Frank

[GriffMJ]

Thanks Frank..... it was not too expensive if you consider the HMd go for £300 plus BTW there is an Officers Beret badge that is die stamped (like the ORs slider version) with loops.

Here is an example of the "S" mark... (not in my collection) I think the "S" Mark is in the post WW2 National Service era? The two Mottos above are 1946-64 but again in that National Service bracket I think.

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Griff,
Tell me, I do know that in some regiments, in days gone by, some officers badges have been handed down, within the said regiment, with some CO's wanting their officers to wear "old" badges and this contributes to them actually being quite scarce, certainly within the foot guards and the famous South African regiment, the Imperial Light Horse, this has been true, do you know if this had ever taken place in the 17/21st?
Regards Frank

Originally Posted by GriffMJ

Thanks Frank..... it was not too expensive if you consider the HMd go for £300 plus BTW there is an Officers Beret badge that is die stamped (like the ORs slider version) with loops.

Here is an example of the "S" mark... (not in my collection) I think the "S" Mark is in the post WW2 National Service era? The two Mottos above are 1946-64 but again in that National Service bracket I think.