Pins, fasteners and backs

[eric]

Although my collection is small, I have a number of badges whose pins are broken, missing or catch not working. May I ask your views on whether to try repair these or leave as is?
If one was to try 'fix' the rear in order that it could be pinned on a display board, can anyone advice how or where one could obtain these and possible cost?
Appreciate your views
Thanks

[backman]

My view on the whole issue of restoration is very much my own and I think there will be people of on both the Pro and Anti stance for this.I believe that the original aim of most badges was that they should be worn and as they would have sustained damage in the process the owners would have had repairs done.I have seen many such repairs over the years and some are extremely crude whilst others are barely noticeable.I have discussed replacing pins with a local jeweller and he assures me that this can be done but that the cost would in many cases outweigh the cost of the badge.
As this doesn't really have a significant impact upon the value of the badge( enamel damage seems to be the largest defect affecting the price of badges)I haven't had this done to the many pin less items in my collection.If,however the badge was for wearing I would have no hesitation in having this done ,probably with the addition of a securing hook for a safety chain.My advice is to find a local silversmith and have a chat with him to check out the cost?

[myk1066]

If you intend to wear the badge then have it professionally repaired, but if it is for collection or display then leave it as it is as this adds to its authenticity, and in my view makes it more appealing,as with my SoN badge I'm sure it is only a matter of time before the pin goes!
Mike

[backman]

 Just an update on this old thread to say that I have found myself a local jeweller who is able replace certain pins for less than £10.I got a couple of Nightingale badges done as a trial and they were excellent making them wearable once more.He is also trying to find me as many old silver safety chains as he can at £2 to £3 each.I have also sourced a company that sell modern safety chains at a similar price but these become cheaper in quantities,is there an interest out there for these amongst collectors?
The question is now is do I have the pins replaced on other badges in my collection?

[backman]

On the question of restoring badges to their original state,I have been speaking to my Jeweller friend who has told me of a product for re-plating worn silver plated items.I have a number of badges which are of a base metal with a thin layer of silver on top,several of which are over polished so that the original silver has disappeared. There are several Silver Plating Polishes available and I tried one by HG which cost between £10 and 15 for a 50ml bottle.The results on a couple of badges which were badly worn is pretty impressive and I will add a some photos to the albums of before and after for people to judge.Normally I do not advise over cleaning as it can damage detail and many cleaning products can be potentially astringent but applied gently this seems to be OK?

Just thought I would share for others to decide.

[Magpie]

Thanks for that Peter, sounds very useful.

[Sarah Rogers]

Hi, personally, possibly with a historians hat on, I am not sure about the polish- it sems rather like changing the story of the badge, I can see a little ordinary polish to remove dirt and show what is under neath makes sense but not to completely reverse/ correct it, the wear and tear is surely part of a badges history? I dislike the sparkly bright SEN badges that are sold by a badge seller on ebay- looks like they have been in vinegar like shining pennies!-personal preferences...

[nursesue]

I don't see any harm in restoring a badge to its original beauty Pins being replaced or a polish to enhance its beauty - but a bad restoration is a big fat NO and like you all I have seen them

[backman]

I definitely am against over polishing as we have probably all seen badges with the detail almost totally worn down.I think is ultimately an individual thing and should only be undertaken carefully,if at all. The pictures of before and after of a Southampton badge are now on the album pages to see the difference.I personally try and avoid metal polishes and really on water and a soft headed toothbrush,really soft cleaning cloths and a vinegar based glass cleaner for enamel.
What do the professional archives think or recommend if anything?

[wilfb]

Hi.

I seem to agree with almost everyone on this one!  Like Sarah I have a serious dislike to doing anything to change the original history of a badge, however well intentioned.

But like 'myk1066' and perhaps 'nursesue'  if I wanted to wear a badge I would probably try to improve/repair if it could be done professionally and not result in a botch job, Personally I would want a result that matched the original in all aspects. I do have a London Hospital badge with a missing catch for the pin and have often wondered about seeking a replacement finding - but because I have the original paperwork for the nurse in question I hesitate......

Having viewed the fore and after pictures put up by Peter I can only agree that the result looks superb - 'want one' - but again I still don't want to change that history..... Likewise with adding chains - yes I do like the idea very much - and I do have a couple of broken chains - but do I want to change the history of the badge?

Well no I don't. But if a repair/replacement was for exhibition purposes I might be persuaded. My only worry then would be could the badge be presented fraudulently as original = a real can of worms!

At the end of the day I am for the soft and gentle no change approach - except for exhibition use and not re-sale bettered. Perhaps that will be the test of my pin-catch missing London Hospital badge at the end of the day - since the original paperwork could be exhibited alongside the badge I might just seek advice..... Perhaps. Perhaps not....

Will.

Ps. I have take the serious liberty of adding peter's before and after photographs here to show the effect of the plating - please note slight size differences.

**You will need to be logged in the see the photographs, Click to enlarge/reduce

[wilfb]

I wonder what could/should be done (if anything) about this one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CWW1-VINTAGE-PRINCESS-ALICE-NURSERY-TRAINING-SCHOOL-ENAMEL-PIN-BADGE/141226346938

Will

[backman]

....It should be consigned to the sad and unloved drawer?  But what if this was a Scottish Male Nurse Registration badge or a Nightingale SEN Badge,what then?

[wilfb]

Hi.

Agreed.... But if it was one of those Scottish Male Nurse Registration badges - well, I suspect that it might be worth more than a Nightingale - and you would probably get killed in the rush and lose your pension!!

Will.

[myk1066]

Ooo now there's a thought, imagine a Registered Male Nurse Scotland badge on ebay...............imagine that battle!

[nursesue]

when Scotland gets its independence then I'm afraid I'll have to confiscate all Scottish badges including the elusive male RGN badge so i'd save your pennies and let me have it for a reasonable price!!!
Only joking......... as for the battered badge well its not one I really want so wouldn't go for it but a rare scottish badge would be a different matter I have bought battered badges in the past and if i get one in a better condition then i'll buy it and sell on the other - but i always list it as battered ;D