Sterling silver hallmarked men's ARP (Air Raid Precautions) button hole badge: 1938

Hallmarked (London) sterling silver, 1938.

The ARP badges were designed by renowned sculptor and typographer Eric Gill in April 1936 for which he was paid £3 and 3 shillings.

On 25th August 1936 the Home Office ordered 250,000 button hole ARP badges from the Royal Mint. The first run of 250,000 die-stamped badges produced were made with the half-moon style button hole lapel fixing and were available from April 1937. 50,000 badges with brooch pin design for ladies was requested in early February 1937.

All the badges produced between 1936* and 1939 were die stamped 925 sterling silver and measure 1 ½” down by 1” across (approx. 39mm by 26mm) and weigh approx. 9 grams. Miniature silver versions of the ARP badge for manufactured for wear on civilian clothes showing the person was 'doing their bit' for the war effort.

Dates on silver hallmarked badges: 1936 (A), 1937 (B), 1938 (C) & 1939 (D).

Nominated Charity

Reiver Vintage is raising awareness of the work of Journey Enterprises, a small north east charity supporting adults with complex learning disability to lead active, inclusive and fulfilling lives. The Charity has four day centres which help people with learning disability learn life and work skills. These are in Blyth and Hexham (Northumberland), Bishop Auckland (County Durham) and Newcastle upon Tyne. The Day Centres host 160 adults weekly who are aged between 18 and 80 years.

The Charity is one of 15 organisations chosen nationally by the House of Lords as examples of 'best practice' (see https://www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk/organisations/journey-enterprises)

If you would like to support the Charity's work please visit:

https://journeyenterprises.enthuse.com/profile

https://www.journeyenterprises.co.uk/