Gilding Metal or Brass - what's the difference?

[Fritz]

The heading says it all really. Is there any real difference, or is the GM term a "posh" word for brass?

[engr9266]

Here is the boring bit....

Gilding metal is a copper alloy, comprising 95% copper and 5% zinc. Technically, it is a form of brass.

Brass is any alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.

I would say Gilding metal is more malleable due to the high content of copper so easy to use to make badges etc. Where as Brass can be made in different strenghts to suit a task.

[fougasse1940]

Gilding metal So called through being able to be easily gilded, is defined in the 1900 Dress Regulations as “eight parts of copper to one part of zinc.” (86,7% Copper, 13,3% Zinc By weight, Royal Army Clothing Department Pattern No. 4480/1897) A brass alloy therefore, but now containing a higher portion of copper than zinc to those previously made.
Gilding metal is from the same alloy family as Brass (67% Copper and 33% Zinc) and is particularly suitable for accepting gilding.
The (British) Army used it in place of Brass for badges from 1896.

Rgds,
fougasse1940.