Trophy Belt badges

[Drmiggy]

Cracking badges Denis!

[billy]

Hi all and again thanks, I said I had another Belt acquired before Christmas and here it is and happy it is fine but it has a couple of badges which throw up a query and a Maker’s Mark on Slider someone might find of interest?

The Canadian badge is Theatre made? by which it is cast, I think it fine but will await your thoughts?

As Belt is decaying I have very carefully stripped them off (Painfull - leather shrunk closed!) no lugs broken, but Tracy suggests Olive Oil? am going to town and ask the Shoe repair guy his thoughts, one badge I couldn’t get off though, Signals!

The Wiltshire badge, (next to the Middlesex Rgt.) has two lugs close together, might need to take a picture? so may be a collar, but had thoughts of an Edwardian badge? (Wishful thinking on my part?)

The Queens Rgt badge is really quite small slider has been clipped.

[Luke H]

The Gladman mark is genuine, date-wise post WW2.

[billy]

Hi Luke, well that puts it a new light probably started as a WW2 Belt and added too perhaps?

The Seaforth’s has 3 lugs which I had thought was WW1 era only?

[Luke H]

Surprised it puts it in a new light as two other badges are post WW2 patterns to my knowledge - the beret sized QRWS; and two-part Royal Signals (crown missing).

[Drmiggy]

The REME badge is 1942-47, so definitely WW2 from that badge

[Sonofacqms]

The Canadian badge Le Regiment De La Chaudiere is a bit unusual, the top of the fleur de lys has been broken off, possibly after being fixed to the belt or before, it looks to be a cast badge.

This unit served with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division in Normandy, so not much chance of it being a replacement badge made in the Middle East or India.

Rob

[cbuehler]

There is clearly a mix of pre WW2, WW2 and early post WW2 badges here.
Just when the belt was assembled is unclear, but what the heck, it is all still very nice.
Unfortunately the leather is dry rotted, so best left as is. I highly recommend not to apply anything to it. It will not help and likely damage it further.

CB

[billy]

Hi C.B. Have just seen your post so a bit late!

The Wife has used Olive Oil to bring back to life Leather Coats and worn for years after, so attempting on this belt as rear was fine front as from pictures you can see is roapy! I have older belts which are better! but no knowing what I may find in the future? if this works - RESULT! (I will be keeping an eye on it, don’t think it can do worse? )

Here are some before and middle (letting the Olive Oil soak in) looking better will leave for a few days then polish it up?

[cbuehler]

Well, lets see. It is not as dry rotted as it appeared in the photos, but watch out for further degradation and mildew. Best of luck!

CB

[billy]

Hi C.B. the Mildew is a concern, but have it in the house to keep an eye on it and also to allow the belt to settle, absorb the treatment!

This is maybe something other forum members might consider if they have a similar problem on leather articles?

Will definitely let you know how it goes, the leather has acquired a measure of flexibility and subtleness.