85th & 195th New Additions

[Roy]

Hi Chaps,

Nothing too dramatic but just wanted to share two new officers badges to my small CEF collection.

The 195th I think is silver plate and is the second officers badge to this unit I have, my other being a silver and gilt example.

Pleased to have found an 85th as have been hoping to find one for a while now.

No makers marks on either that I can see but both have original lugs.

As mentioned nothing to spectacular but quite pleased.

Cheers, Roy.

[Bill A]

Roy, I am under the impression that the 195th Battalion officer's badge was either silver gilt or silver with enamels. Are the lugs on the 195th plated as well?

[Roy]

Hi Bill,

They don't appear to be. See photo attached.

Roy.

[GregN]

Hi Roy, here's my 195 CEF. I think Bill is right that the recognized officers patterns are silver/gilt or silver/enamel, both version typically have a pin-back. My badge is marked GEO. H LEES & CO 1915.

The ORs are typically a pickled finish. It's possible a silver badge could be band issue but I don't know enough about the battalion to know if they had one.

Greg

[Bill A]

Thanks Roy. I can't be sure, but from the image the lugs look silver.

[Roy]

Greg, A lovely badge, super condition too, thanks for sharing that.

Yes Bill I had a closer look and indeed silver lugs. If I'm not mistaken it is silver plate on copper (?).

Here is a couple of photos showing both my examples together.

Cheers, Roy.

[Bill A]

Hi Roy, The bi-metal 195th is fine. I am not sure about the silver plated example. When the lugs are silver it suggests an other ranks badge that has been plated, but for what purpose? It may have been an "economy" officers' badge, or it may be a veterans or it may be bogus as an officer's example.

[Roy]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for that. The plating certainly looks period/original and is starting to thin on the high points of the front.

Cheers, Roy.