Black Watch and Gloucestershire - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

DDEV · #1 13-06-20, 03:41 AM

How do these badges measure up?

This Black Watch badge looks much better than the Highlander badge I posted yesterday. Judging from the crown it would be a real stretch to have someone wearing it in WWII.

The issue I have with the Gloucestershire badge is the berries on either side of the Egypt bar. I googled the badge and did not see one with three berries arranged like this.

Alex Rice · #2 13-06-20, 06:03 AM

BW looks ok to me.
Cheers,
Alex

Amy · #3 13-06-20, 10:03 AM

Glosters badge is the "berry" variation. Designs of badges do vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. I'd say it's a 'right' badge.

cbuehler · #4 14-06-20, 01:47 AM

Both badges look OK, although the Gloster is not the best example. That BW QVC badge has always had me wondering why they are so common. I have one just like it and have seen what seems like a gazillion of them

CB

dubaiguy · #5 14-06-20, 03:34 PM

CB's post and reference to 'gazillions' of QVC Black Watch bonnet badges on the market does raise questions, and as such unfortunately I do take a contrary view and have to say your badge is not one I would go for.

My view is based on a number of things, but mainly the superior workmanship evident on badges from the Victorian era. This workmanship can readily be seen in the jewels that are in the band surrounding the base of the crown. They are usually very finely cut, centred and evenly spaced. What they appear not to be on a QVC badge is amorphous higgledy-piggledy lumps.

Secondly as very abrasive cleaning chemicals were not readily available until after the turn of the 20th century, QVC badges usually exhibit fine detail. On a QVC BW badge there is often visible detail on the thistle 'bulbs' and this is one of the areas worn away by polishing/rubbing with later cleaning chemicals.

When I was looking for one there were other things such as lettering shape and the shape of the device (flower?) at the bottom of the quoit that I also looked at before buying.

I hope my comments have been constructive. Anyway here are some photos of the things I mention.
Mark

cbuehler · #6 15-06-20, 12:13 AM

I agree that there may be something fishy about these BW badges. There seems to be a few too many floating about, which does not make sense. The quality of the strike is not quite up to what QVC badges usually exhibit and the lugs do not have have "the look" either. Any further input by members would be appreciated!
CB