*British, WW2, Silver Hallmarked Air Raid Precautions (A.R.P) Badge, Kings Crown, Dated A – 1936, Silversmith RJ Sir Robert Arthur Johnson Royal Mint*
3.8cm tall x 2.5cm
Marked: RJ, Lion passant, London Assay Office, (A) 1936
Early 1st Run Silver Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Lapel Badge
The early 1st run Silver ARP lapel badge was designed by renowned sculptor and typeface designer Eric Gill. The design features large capital letters with a slightly more prominent ‘R’ and two dots (interpoints). Above the ARP initials is the standard Tudor (King’s) crown, similar to those on army, air force, and navy insignia.
On 25 August 1936, the Home Office commissioned 250,000 silver hallmarked buttonhole ARP badges from the Royal Mint. These badges, produced in the first run, were die-stamped with a half-moon style buttonhole lapel fixing and were available from April 1937. Although they carry the silver date mark ‘A’ corresponding to 1936, this hallmark was used until the end of May 1937. The silversmith’s initials R.J., for Sir Robert Arthur Johnson (1874-1938), Deputy Master and Comptroller of the Royal Mint from 1922 to 1938, appear only on A- and B-dated badges.
The badges were issued to individuals who volunteered for ARP services and underwent the necessary training. Those eligible for the badge included:
i) first aid and medical services;
ii) rescue or demolition services,
iii) decontamination of material;
iv) air raid wardens;
v) gas detection officers
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