Cap Badges!

[Davben]

Hi, for ages i`ve never known the reason for cap badges being brass, bi metal ,and white metal, what was the reason for these different metals used ?

was it something simple?

Cheers Dave B.

[Captain Dave]

As far as different metals went, I always understood it to be because you could get a contrasting effect on the same badge. (See badge to left, Brass and Bi Metal for the centre.)

As wartime shortages took place, some badges were simplified to brass only. Your probably also aware of some Regiments with bronze officer badges.

[kingsman64]

Hi Dave

with a few exceptions most of the origins of cap badge material can be traced back to the old system whereby Regular full time soldiers wore gilt lace and accouterments and Volunteers or Militia wore silver lace and white metal fittings. This traddition was carried on into WW1 when the Regular battalions of a regiment would wear a Bi-Metal Cap badge (two colour) and the Territorial Force the same badge all in White metal. Classic example the King's Liverpool Regiment white horse of hanover earned as a battle distinction in the 18th C became the regimental cap badge standing on a heralic torque over a gilding (brass) metal scroll reading "The King's"

In WW1 the TF Battalions descended from the old rifle volunteers wore exactly the same badge all in White metal (7th and 9th Battalion) Whereas the 5th Battalion who viewed themselves as slightly elitist opted to maintain the Rifle Volunteer Corps traddition of blackening all badges buttons and shoulder titles! Just to add to the confusion the 6th, 8th (Irish) and 10th (scottish) 17th, 18th, 19th 20th (City Battalions or Pal's) all had unique badges!

Captain Dave is correct material shortages in WW1 caused the issue of an economy all brass version of the usual bi-metal badges. Now original 1916 Economy issues are prized by badge collectors because of their comparative rarity to the numbers of regular badges that have been issued. This also occured in WW2 when proud regiments had an economy badge produced in Bakelite or soft plastic they where despised by the troops and they where often "lost" and a new metal badge was purchased ASAP again the rarity of some of these badges to fighting regiments has pushed prices up into 3 figures

Then of course in the 50's the garish anodised aluminium arrived "staybright" never needs cleaning looks absolutely B***** Awful. Thankfully all regiments are once again issuing metal "proper" badges which has been made possible by the repeated defense cuts and amalgamations reducing the number of regiments in the British Army to such a level we can now afford metal badges again for our troops. (ooops sorry got on the soapbox there)

Any further questions do not hesitate to come back.

Regards

[max7474]

I have found that most badges come in different types according to wearers rank and unit history - Officers wore Bronze or Silver badges, some regts (Middlesex for example) had special NCOs badges in white metal or a different design. Most Regts wore either gilding metal (posh brass with a higher copper content) or bi-metal (gilding metal with nickel) if they had regimental tiltes or scrolls to pick out in their design. 1915-19 a shortage of nickel saw all brass badges being made for most regiments which were easier to make and often one oiece where the bi-metal were 2,3 or 4 piec in their construction. Same again in 1941-5 where plastic or bakealite was used in brown or grey colours. These were made by Stanley and Sons in Walsall. Post 1950 staybrite came into existance and nearly all abdes are made in this know except for Queens lancashire Regiment and a Yeomanry unit who have gilt and enamel badges and the RGBW who have a composite white and gilt metal coloured badge. saying that no self respecting cavalry trooper or member of the parachute regiment would wear a staybrite badge and they are sent to buy a metal one from the unit PRI shop as soon as they leave training!