Cambs from the Western Cape.

[thursdaychris]

I have finally acquired the second half of a pair of Cambs badges that I needed for the collection. There were no rival bidders, and I had no problem at all getting the two of them, in two separate auctions, a couple of weeks apart. The fact that they were on bidorbuyza and located in Cape Town, may have had something to do with this.

I did detect rather negative waves regarding this particular auction site, but I was unable to find this Cambs variant anywhere else, and two of them in the same place, has got to be a bit jammy! Anyhow, I will not be holding my breath, awaiting their arrival, but in the meantime, I can share an image or two of the pair of them, with some of you fine fellows.

You will notice that these two badges have rectangular braze holes, I have a few that have oval braze holes, but I've found that these slotted types are rather far and few between. I have managed to find a couple that are also maker marked FIRMIN LONDON, but I've had to go a little further to find these unmarked specimens.

[Home Guard]

I know the feeling of finally finding and getting a much desired badge! Congrats.

I notice they both have the flat topped shield, which makes me think that is common with the badges that have braze holes in them - but nothing more than assumption on my part. Is there a braze hole under the slider on these? My oval misspelled one has three oval braze holes which is why I ask.

Terry

[thursdaychris]

Thanks Terry, I don't know about a centre braze hole on these badges, I will need to await their "snail mail" delivery from SA. I expect that they will have three, that seems pretty much normal with the badges that have them. However, as I said, they do seem to be a bit scarce here in the UK, there's shedloads without holes. I do also have flat topped shields without braze holes, so they don't necessarily go together.

[wardog]

They look a good match for my example Chris-post 12 https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...cambridgeshire
There is a centre braze hole. Glad you have obtained them. Regards, Paul.

[thursdaychris]

Here are the two flat topped shields that I have, sadly no holes in them!

[Sonofacqms]

To be honest I have never been keen on flat topped shield Cambridgeshire badges with small acorns and no sweat holes, I may be wrong, the flat topped shield badge I have was has Firmin on the slider and sweat holes.

Rob

[thursdaychris]

Do you think that flat topped shields without braze holes are a bit iffy then, Rob? They do seem to come with or without them, and with or without FIRMIN LONDON, I don't know if that ought to tell us something, or not?

[Sonofacqms]

I often find that some badges are guilty by association, if a seller who has known fake badges for sale and I see any of these being offered it puts my guard up straight away.

Rob

[thursdaychris]

I blew the dust off a large pile of Armourer magazines last night, I haven't looked at them for many years, my collecting interests have changed somewhat. Anyhow, I opened the first page and the first thing that I saw was an advert for Martin Marsh, I have yet to see that fine gentleman's name come up when the supply of Cambridgeshire badges gets mentioned!

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by thursdaychris

I blew the dust off a large pile of Armourer magazines last night, I haven't looked at them for many years, my collecting interests have changed somewhat. Anyhow, I opened the first page and the first thing that I saw was an advert for Martin Marsh, I have yet to see that fine gentleman's name come up when the supply of Cambridgeshire badges gets mentioned!

Like these?

[thursdaychris]

Many thanks, Luke, flat top shields are suddenly not looking too good, both of these images do seem to have their "e"s, and I'm guessing that one would have been brass and the other bimetal. How many of the Martin Marsh badges came with braze holes, as well, I wonder?

[wardog]

I don't think the Marsh badge matches mine exactly but i'm open to other opinions. I don't think the acorn turret tops match, detail is clear, slider looks OK. Do other earlier Cambridge badges use the flat top shield? Regards, Paul.

[Sonofacqms]

I have a flat top shield Cambridgeshire badge marked FIRMIN on the slider.

Rob

[thursdaychris]

Terrible news from Cape Town, the first Cambs badge that I bought had been listed twice, and this did not come to light until I paid them a second time for the same badge! I did think it was a bit too good to be true, just what I was looking for, times two, in the same place!

Anyhow, a bit of detective work will be needed now, and a little adjustment to the Cambs display, perhaps. There are quite a few Cambridgeshire badges to be found on the likes of Picclick UK, and suchlike. Would the Marsh versions of the Cambs badge be far and few between, or fairly common, I ask myself, and would there be any readily identifiable features, other than flat top shields?