TOPIC:

I purchased this brooch for my wife a few years ago. She wears it on Remembrance Day along with a poppy.

When I purchased it the story was that these were commissioned and distributed by Queen Mary Of Teck in 1914 to widows of servicemen who fell during the Crimean War. This story may have some air of truth to it but there may be a more solid story behind it.

1914 would have been the 60th anniversary of Balaclava, so widows would have been in their 80's or 90's but moreover the brooch is hallmarked London 1910 (made by Thomas Harper 1806). Due to the 1910 hallmark, "Her Gracious Majesty The Queen" is more likely Alexandra Of Denmark, who as we all know had her namesake in action during the war in the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service and was certainly more engaged with military affairs in 1910 than Queen Mary. It would also seem more reasonable to be commissioning and distributing these within 10 years of a loss of a spouse - even if it uses text written to commemorate action in the Crimean War (We certainly don't only use contemporary writings during our commemoratives now). It may be that these were given to widows of servicemen who had lost their lives in any of the conflicts from Crimea to 1910.

Extensive searches have not answered any questions. I can find no record nor report of this brooch at all, let alone relating to a particular conflict etc.

This is certainly something along the lines and fashions of the brooch Queen Victoria favoured Florence Nightingale with but it would certainly be good to know more. Without the information given in the case and ability to date it this would just be another chunk of jewellery.

Your Pictures......

M.




.

CtahhR
Never ever seen anything like that! The butts of the rifles used as a background (to the Union Flag) are definitely those of Martini pattern (in Mike's blow-up we can clearly see the action opening/closing levers). The muzzle end of the rifles correspond to type and appear to have representations of slings attached. Perhaps that helps date it's intended period of commemoration? Those more knowledgeable with symbols might be able to tell more from the use of the Dove of Peace at 12 o'clock (at least that is what it looks like to me) and the inverted torch at 6 o'clock.
Regards
IL.

Going by the clasp on the rear the dove of peace is at 12, torch of hope at 6 and surrounded by the laurels of victory, all wrapped up by a belt of allegiance with the first line of the sixth verse of the Charge Of The Light Brigade.

The flames may seem to be flowing downward but not if they are in the southern hemisphere.

It seems to really take a little bit of everything from Crimea to 1910 and on a global empire scale.

With the torch of hope and enlightenment at 6 o'clock there may be some hint of a fairly recent British victory.

I just thought of something...... I cannot see the Registration number that is hidden by the pin as the date the design was registered for manufacture......

Take a look below......

Mike

English Registry Marks

This guide discusses the dating system put in place by the British Government for objects created with patents registered after the year 1883.

Later Registry Marks:

After 1883, the type of English registry mark that was a diamond shaped symbol with a circle on top was discontinued. A simpler registration system was started using just numbers. Usually, these numbers are preceded by "Rd. No." followed by a number and is still in effect today. It is very similar to the American Patent number table.

 English Registry Numbers after 1884

1884: 1
1885: 19754
1886: 40800
1887: 64700
1888: 91800
1889: 117800
1890: 141273
1891: 163767
1892: 185713
1893: 205240
1894: 224720
1895: 246975
1896: 268392
1897: 291241
1898: 311658
1899: 331707
1900: 351202
1901: 368154
1902: 385180
1903: 403200
1904: 424400
1905: 447800
1906: 471860
1907: 493900
1908: 518640
1909: 535170         
1909: 548920 (Oct.)

Mike
The Registered number looks to me to be "91818". Using your list as a guide, that would date the Brooch to the late 1880's. That would fit in with the depiction of the Martini Rifles.
Regards
IL.