Canadian Artillery (Roden Bros)

[The Canadian]

Hi everyone,

I have this cap badge, but can't really find any specific reference to it aside from the 'thick' gun. I know it was a "Generic" artillery but I haven't come across anything comparable.

It's 7cm wide and 5cm tall with the back of the gun measuring 7mm.

It is dated 1917 across the top of the wheel and has "Roden Bros LTD Toronto" across the bottom. It also had the remnants of North and south tangs. Though the north tang remnant is the most noticeable. It looks like it might have had a field repair, though it's speculation. I bought it with a slider, with the same patina on the badge, repair solder, and slider.

Unfortunately it snapped when the shadow box it was displayed in fell off the wall. I plan on taking it to a local Jeweler to have it repaired properly.

[Bill A]

The Canada banner gun badge was worn by the Canadian Field Artillery and Canadian Garrison Artillery units. They were redesignated Royal at various times, the regular force components in 1893, the militia field batteries were the last, in 1936.

[Artynut]

Hi “The Canadian”. Very nice badge you have there. In over 30 years of collecting Artillery cap badges, I’ve yet to acquire a “Roden” marked badge! As I believe it’s quite rare, care should be taken when selecting a jeweller willing to make a good restoration which shouldn’t be too expensive. If you care to go to my albums and select “Royal Canadian Artillery cap badges 1878 - 1952” then go to page 3, line 6, pictures 4 - 5. Or Page 4, line 1 and pictures 1 - 2. These closely resemble your “Roden” badge. The brass tangs are approximately .035” thick. Total length including the bend 1.080” and width of .175”. From what I can make out, your badge was originally constructed the same way. Your jeweller should know that they should clean all residue of the former attachment before attempting the repair and put the bend in prior to attaching with “Silver Solder”. lead or “Tin-man’s” solder is a No-No!. You might look at “Canadian Tire” or a model shop or other store and buy a piece of brass at that thickness and fashion your tangs your self, (that way you have a personal interest in the restoration!) Best regards and Good luck. D.J.

[manchesters]

The WW1 Canadian Artillery badges are a good badge to collect as there are so many styles and many different maker marks.

I have collected most of them over the years and on checking my collection find I have two identical to your style badges by Roden Brothers.

the first is a cap badge in pickled brass, maker marked by them with tangs north and south.

Interestingly the other is brass but is a pouch badge on screw posts again maker marked by them

I also have both a CFA & a CGA shoulder title by them, both dated 1918

regards

[Artynut]

You’re a tease Simon!……. Two Roden badges? Regards, D.J.

[The Canadian]

Originally Posted by Artynut

Hi “The Canadian”. Very nice badge you have there. In over 30 years of collecting Artillery cap badges, I’ve yet to acquire a “Roden” marked badge! As I believe it’s quite rare, care should be taken when selecting a jeweller willing to make a good restoration which shouldn’t be too expensive. If you care to go to my albums and select “Royal Canadian Artillery cap badges 1878 - 1952” then go to page 3, line 6, pictures 4 - 5. Or Page 4, line 1 and pictures 1 - 2. These closely resemble your “Roden” badge. The brass tangs are approximately .035” thick. Total length including the bend 1.080” and width of .175”. From what I can make out, your badge was originally constructed the same way. Your jeweller should know that they should clean all residue of the former attachment before attempting the repair and put the bend in prior to attaching with “Silver Solder”. lead or “Tin-man’s” solder is a No-No!. You might look at “Canadian Tire” or a model shop or other store and buy a piece of brass at that thickness and fashion your tangs your self, (that way you have a personal interest in the restoration!) Best regards and Good luck. D.J.

I will use care looking for a jeweller, I have the slider it was once repaired with as well, I was thinking that it could be re attached so I don't need to remove the original tang remnants and risk damaging it.

Someone suggested recently that I use a small bit of epoxy (that can be removed without permanent damage if the need arises) though that seems a little strange to me.

[The Canadian]

Originally Posted by manchesters

The WW1 Canadian Artillery badges are a good badge to collect as there are so many styles and many different maker marks.

I have collected most of them over the years and on checking my collection find I have two identical to your style badges by Roden Brothers.

the first is a cap badge in pickled brass, maker marked by them with tangs north and south.

Interestingly the other is brass but is a pouch badge on screw posts again maker marked by them

I also have both a CFA & a CGA shoulder title by them, both dated 1918

regards

Interesting, so what collar should I look for so I can complete the set. I did notice quite the selection of different patterns.

[Artynut]

Well, it appears to me that you’re intent on using the original tang, so you might as well do it yourself! It was already a bad soldering job if it broke off when the frame dropped. If you do NOT clean properly the residue off the badge and your tang, you will have a sloppy and weak attachment again! Very upsetting to contemplate. D.J.

[Bill A]

There were several types of collars worn by the CFA. Included were the general list maple leaf badges, the small flaming grenades or the maple leaf with imposed field gun badges.

[The Canadian]

Originally Posted by Artynut

Well, it appears to me that you’re intent on using the original tang, so you might as well do it yourself! It was already a bad soldering job if it broke off when the frame dropped. If you do NOT clean properly the residue off the badge and your tang, you will have a sloppy and weak attachment again! Very upsetting to contemplate. D.J.

The idea of doing north and south tangs again sounds great but then I was thinking it could really mess up the badge if a mistake was made, and I don't really have the experience *yet* to make those kind of judgement calls. I didn't want to leave you with an upsetting thought, I don't have any intention of attempting the repair myself.

I'm just looking at options, every collector has their own methods and I figured having information would help me make an informed decision rather than a hasty repair job or could offer different options as processes change or improve.

[The Canadian]

Originally Posted by Bill A

There were several types of collars worn by the CFA. Included were the general list maple leaf badges, the small flaming grenades or the maple leaf with imposed field gun badges.

Thank you Bill I appreciate it