Ville de Virton Sapeurs Pompiers helmet plate badge, Belgian (19th century)

Title	Ville de Virton Sapeurs Pompiers helmet plate badge
Nationality	Belgian
Period	19th century

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This die-struck gilding metal badge (11.5 x 10.5cm) is the badge for the high combed fire brigade helmet, typical of most of northern Europe in the 19th century. The central feature is the Belgian lion surrounded by flags.

The badge appears to be an incomplete piece, insomuch as it has never been fitted with lugs on the reverse and is in flattened form. It may well be a Gaunt's product, on account of Britain's close connections with Belgium through Queen Victoria's father-in-law, who was its king in the mid-19th century.

Three of the ponts on the flags are missing and there is a tiny patch of verdigris on the edge of one of the flags. There are various stress cracks, in particular a half-inch split behind the lion's neck. These can only really be seen when held against a strong light.

Prov: from the J.R. Gaunt & Son Ltd. Pattern Book Archive, sold at auction by order of the National Army Museum, London.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.

[Militaria : Badges : Belgian : 19th Century]

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