Buffs with a pronounced curve.

[Waterloo1815]

Just acquired this Buffs badge for my collection. The reason I bought it was that its got a very pronounced curve. Most of the others in my collection are fairly flat, or very slightly curved. I'm assuming this would have been produced for a specific type of headdress, maybe a Brodrick? Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.
Regards,
Leo

[manchesters]

Leo,

Its simply been curved by the wearer, nothing more.

To straighten it place it on its front and press down at each end.

regards

[gb64]

Hi Leo, as Simon has said the badge has been bent to fit the headdress, I’ve many of these in my collection to a lot of different regiments , personally I like them and leave them shaped.

Gerard

[Waterloo1815]

Many thanks for the replies chaps, I appreciate the input.
I'll leave it as it is rather than trying to straighten it.
Regards,
Leo

[wardog]

I've noticed some examples have the tip of tail free/voided. I have seen that also with earlier lugged examples. Probably a makers variation but could be a pointer to an earlier made badge. Regards, Paul.

[grenadierguardsman]

Originally Posted by Waterloo1815

Many thanks for the replies chaps, I appreciate the input.
I'll leave it as it is rather than trying to straighten it.
Regards,
Leo

Leo
I would personally leave it as is. It would have been done by the owner as other practises were done ie, rubbing the badge down. Being " bolo " I think the term was called. Altering items to improve the appearance, allegedly. Another practise was to shave one's beret, to give it the old soldier look.
Andy

[cbuehler]

I fully agree in leaving it as is. Bending badges for a better appearance on the head dress was very common and probably universal for some types, eg. Lincolnshire Regt., wherein the ends of the badge would not conform to the curve of the service dress cap, looking rather wonky if not done.

CB

[Home Guard]

I have a lugged NZ Women's Land Army badge that is curved like that. I have left it as I obtained it assuming the original owner had done that to it.

Terry

[Waterloo1815]

The only thing I would add, having had a good look at it again today (only arrived in the post yesterday - another eBay find), is that the curvature is perfect across the width of the badge from top to bottom, not a single flat spot as I would expect to see if it were 'manually' bent. It is difficult to convey in a photograph how uniform the curvature is, therefore I'm still keeping open the possibility in my own mind at least, that it was manufactured this way. Of course, I could be totally wrong! Either way, it’s a nice badge. I've taken another couple of pics to try to illustrate what I mean, please see attached.
Regards,
Leo

[gb64]

Deleted

[gb64]

Hi Leo, definitely not manufactured with the curve , it’s been done by the wearer as with many many cap badges, they aren’t that hard to bend with your fingers doesn’t take a lot to add a curve . Gerard

Gerard

[Luke H]

It’s been bent by the wearer. You will be amazed by some of the curves or even domes that can be achieved in order for it to snugly fit the cap or beret.

[Waterloo1815]

Thanks again guys. I'll go with the consensus of opinion. I'll still leave it as it is and keep it as an 'oddball', as I like the fact that someone has given it their own personal touch.
Regards,
Leo