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C008458 BRITISH GENERAL SERVICE CORP (FIRST PATTERN) CAP BADGE.
BACKGROUND: Cap badges were usually made of white metal, brass, copper or bi-metal. Most commonly brass and white metal were used. With the shortage of ferrous metal towards the end of 1940, an alternative material was needed for the manufacture of cap badges. Rolled brass and bakelite were among the materials tested but it was cellulose acetate that was finally selected, as it was a modern plastic that could be used with injection molding equipment. The first cellulose acetate badges were produced in December of 1941and were limited to the corp. level, with the regimental level badges going into production in June of 1942. Since the average soldier preferred the metal badges over the plastic and they were produced for a short period of time, plastic cap badges can be fairly rare. The General Service Corps (GSC) is usually only active during wartime and its main function is as a unit to hold specialists, who are primarily reservists, that have not been designated to a unit or corp.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: An injection molded, brown plastic, cap badge, about 1 1/2" by 1 9/16", of the greater Royal Coat of Arms of Great Britain which consists of the Royal Arms to the center of a garter with "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense" (Evil To Him That Evil Thinks) embossed upon it with a crowned lion to one side and a chained unicorn to the other below which are thistles and a scroll with the inscription "Dieu Et Mon Droit" (God and my right) all surmounted by a crowned lion on top a King’s crown. To the reverse are two flat alloy retaining tabs with the text "1A’ and "A Stanley & Sons," "Walsall." Other than some age darkening to the retaining tabs the badge appears to be in unused condition.
GRADE****1/2 PRICE $22.00
To Order this item, please use one of the two e-mail addresses below to contact us. Please make sure to quote the item number in your e-mail
-E-Mail Address pawmac@nbnet.nb.ca Or guild@nb.aibn.com
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