in response to richards reply, i agree that this is probably an early issue wound badge, however i would disagree with your opinion that it originally was a black wound badge, with the black paint having worn off revealing the brass.
black wound badges were never manufactured in brass. painted steel was most commonly used until later in the war when shortages of steel for war priorities led to the use of cheaper pot metals, again black painted. black war badges were produced utilizing the die stamping process. this resulted in a badge with a recessed or "dished" back surface. most black badges will be magnet sensitive as they are made of ferric material.
gold war badges were cast in either brass, bronze or tombak (a copper/zinc alloy) these materials are not magnet sensitive. gold badges were prodced using the die cast process, this resulted in a reverse surface that was solid, flat and smooth. late in the war some gold badges were cast in cheaper alloys and gold painted, again due to war shortages.
it is my opinion that this was originally produced as a gold war badge. flat, smooth back surface, not magnetic sensitive, no sign of peeling, bubbling or defective paint. to my eyes it looks like solid brass, however not being an expert on metals i can not say with 100% certainty that it could not be bronze or tombak.
i do not mean this to be an argumentitive reply richard, on the contrary, it prompted me to put on my research hat and dig in, which is we are all here anyway, isn't it. best regards.
tom
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