RNR lapel badge

[GTB]

Can this patinated RNR button hole type Lapel Badge be considered Victorian? The crown is evidently QVC pattern.
Backmark is Dowler Birmingham

GTB

[Guzzman]

I think what you have here is one of the badges to commemorate the centenary of the Royal Naval Reserve in 2003 (though technically it was the centenary of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as the original RNR was founded in 1859). This design of lapel badge was originally issued to members of the Royal Naval Reserve in the 1930s and up to the late-1940s. They may well have continued to be worn until the RNR and RNVR amalgamated in 1958 but I have no proof of this. However, the original badge had either a brooch-type fastening or, more commonly, a crescent/horseshoe-shaped back to go through the buttonhole. Yours appears to have a grip-pin fastening which suggests that it is one of the 2003 copies as these all had this. In 2003 they also sold cufflinks of the same design. If however the backing is actually crescent/horseshoe-shaped then it dates from the 1930s.

The crown does appear to be a bit of an anomaly as it does appear Victorian in style but this is the crown that featured on the original badge in the inter-war period. Whether this badge was based on some Victorian design I don't know.

Pete

[Guzzman]

I should also add that I cannot explain the extent of the patination if it was only manufactured 13 years ago! Perhaps it just hasn't been treated very well!

Pete

[Jelly Terror]

I'd be inclined to disagree with it being 'modern', if for no other reason than that 'half moon'/crescent-shaped lapel fixing on the back is more in keeping with badges from the earlier half of the C20th. I'd suggest that a more modern badge would possibly have a push-pin type fixing, or brooch pin clasp, perhaps?

Here's my example with a vertical brooch pin, which looks reasonably old-fashioned in design.

Just my opinion, of course.

image.jpg

Regards to all.

JT

[Guzzman]

Now that I've had a closer look at the photograph I can see it isn't a grip-pin fastening but the earlier horseshoe shape. Therefore it is an original 1930s issue. I'll look closer next time! Everything else I said about the design still applies.

Pete

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Guzzman

Now that I've had a closer look at the photograph I can see it isn't a grip-pin fastening but the earlier horseshoe shape. Therefore it is an original 1930s issue. I'll look closer next time! Everything else I said about the design still applies.

Pete

It does look like a push-pin clasp on first inspection.

[fougasse1940]

Dowler amalgamated with Firmin in 1969.

Rgds, Thomas.

[GTB]

Thanks, guys, for all input.

Pete, your observation re original patina was very relevant. Incidentally, since posting my query I have polished the front of badge and so removed the patina.

The fixing is indeed the 'male' crescent buttonhole type and is marked 'DOWLER.BIRMINGHAM'.

If badge is indeed 1930s period, then the St Edward crown had not yet been introduced. For wont of a Tudor Crown, couldn't a QVC one be utilised? If not, then perhaps a Victorian provenance could be reconsidered??

GTB

[Guzzman]

Hi guys

Firstly my apologies for not having looked at the image more clearly at the beginning! All the information I gave you was broadly correct - just the wrong way round! I just saw the image and failed to engage brain. Sorry. And in any case the badges made for the 2003 centenary event all apparently have the date below the anchor!

GTB - I'm glad that you were able to clean it up a bit as they are really nice badges. I actually bought one with the vertical pin fastening this week. They seem to turn up quite regularly.

The shape of the crown IS a bit of a puzzle. I can find no record of these badges before the 1930s but, as I said, I wonder if it is based on some Victorian design. I think I will have to try and do some research to see if I can find anything similar from the Victorian period!

Pete