Belgian Officer Headdress Badge - Gilt?

[Mike B]

Following on from the earlier thread on Belgian Badges of WW2

The subject of Belgian Officer Service Dress Bronze headdress dadges has been raised - I am still looking for a Bladed British made example.

However, I can not see any reference to Officer Gilt headdress badges.

I have a couple of boards from the JR Gaunt wartime archive and wonder if the attached is Officer Gilt, or just a pristine Other Rank badge.
It is on lugs, and certainly looks gilt - much brighter than normal Other Ranks

Has anyone heard of Belgian Officer headdress badge in gilt? - I imagine logically it could exist

[elwe23]

Yes it doesn't look like the classic OR brass one.
You can see the material is different. I wonder why no one has ever listed those ones (OSD and Gilt).

That being said someone offered me this one a few months ago: Looks quite similar to the one you posted:

[Mike B]

Thanks for responding elwe23

I think slightly tarnished ones could 'pass under the radar' partly through the Gilt variant not being listed - also partly through both OR and this Gilt one being found on lugs. Traditionally you may expect Gilt to be on blades. That said, we know OSD Bze, is also found on both lugs and blades

[Luc]

Originally Posted by Mike B

Has anyone heard of Belgian Officer headdress badge in gilt?

Mike, as far as I'm aware officers badges came in bronze or gold bullion. I agree a gilt badge would seem realistic though.

[elwe23]

Originally Posted by Mike B

Thanks for responding elwe23

I think slightly tarnished ones could 'pass under the radar' partly through the Gilt variant not being listed - also partly through both OR and this Gilt one being found on lugs. Traditionally you may expect Gilt to be on blades. That said, we know OSD Bze, is also found on both lugs and blades

Yep. I don't understand why those have never been listed by any Piron members. Gold bullion was worn by Colonel Piron himself on a beret.
Royal Marines Gilt are on lugs as well. Never seen one with blades. Only plastic RM are on blades. I don't know exemple of Gilt on blades as it's not my subject.

[Mike B]

Thanks again Elwe23 - Blades were not uncommon (but perhaps not as common as lugs) for British Officer silver and gilt full dress badges - infantry, corps, etc, throughout various periods. Lugs provided a more robust option. Agree Billion braid also widely used and attractive.

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by Luc

Mike, as far as I'm aware officers badges came in bronze or gold bullion. I agree a gilt badge would seem realistic though.

Many thanks Luc - it certainly looks like an unissued gilt one on the Gaunt Archive board