Hampshire Fire Brigade changed to this badge in 1974 after the fire service reforms of that year changed all county borough fire brigades, merging them all into county brigades. Taking in smaller city & town brigades such as Southampton & Portsmouth City, there are a few variations available to collectors of fire brigade cap badges, mainly in the colour difference of this particular Hampshire cap badge being a dark or light blue variety in the shield! The official badge suppliers to the brigade during its 19 year life span were Toye Kenning & Spencer &of Birmingham & Gaunt of London. ! The badge changed in 1993 to its new title of Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service & badges were issued, however they are no longer a part of personal uniform issue & were recalled to stores in the early 2000’s & used for official functions nowadays!
This variation of the Hampshire Fire Brigade badge from 1974 to 1993 is the dark blue shield variation with normal length lugs. There are variations in existence with longer lugs ! Manufactured by Gaunt Badge Company of Lo0ndon,  the enamel centre fixed to the economy issue, lined Home Office star by a thin brass pin, both cap fixing lugs intact to the rear of the cap badge.