WWI “On War Service 1914” Lapel Badge – by rare maker H.B. Sale Ltd, Birmingham

WWI “On War Service 1914” Lapel Badge – by rare maker H.B. Sale Ltd, Birmingham

Probably an Admiralty-issue “On War Service 1914” lapel badge, the first and rarest of the three official patterns produced during the Great War. The 1914 badge was issued by the Admiralty to workmen whose services were indispensable for the rapid completion of His Majesty’s ships and armaments – meaning the wearer was most likely employed in a naval dockyard or related shipbuilding and armaments work.
 worn by civilians during the First World War to indicate that the person wearing them was engaged in important war work. Before conscription was introduced in 1916, the army relied on voluntary recruitment, and it was assumed by many that a man not in uniform was avoiding joining up. 

Admiralty badges were initially unnumbered, but numbered badges were substituted in 1916. This badge bears the number 7519 on the reverse – which indicates it was either part of a later numbered run, or possibly a numbered example from the original scheme. The letter “S” visible on the reverse is a batch or series letter, consistent with other confirmed H.B. Sale examples.
The Fitting
The reverse shows the classic horseshoe-shaped buttonhole stud fitting rather than a pin. The previous versions of the badge intended for men have a buttonhole fitting on the back – confirming this was issued to a male worker.
The Maker: H.B. Sale Ltd, Birmingham
This is where your badge becomes particularly interesting. The maker’s mark clearly reads “H.B. Sale Ltd, B’ham” – and this is indeed a less commonly encountered maker on these badges, with most collectors more familiar with J.R. Gaunt of London.
H.B. Sale Ltd operated from Progress Works, Summer Lane, Birmingham, with the company founded in 1862. By the time of WWI they were an established and significant Birmingham metalworking firm. By 1961 they were recorded as die sinkers, tool makers, stampers and piercers with 130 employees. Die sinking and metal stamping were precisely the skills needed for badge production, and this is consistent with their known output.
The H.B. Sale Ltd building, located on the boundary of the Jewellery Quarter with Birmingham city centre, was constructed to house metal works in 1895. The building’s facade exhibits a unique Spanish Romanesque style, standing prominent against the more typical surrounding West Midlands architecture, with stunning architectural details carved from terracotta.
The Jewellery Quarter continued to thrive through World War I when demand for military buttons, badges and medals increased. H.B. Sale were perfectly positioned to contribute to this wartime production surge. 
Scarcity.​​​​​​