A rare Smethwick & West Bromwich Fire Service 1948 to 1967 gilt shields cap badge in excellent used condition.
Two fire stations covering 15 square miles of area & 6 different official issued variations make each limited batch ordered very rare to come on the open market for sale.  I have enclosed a picture of the 6 variations i have in my collection & not counting the all gilt shields & scroll FAKE badge produced by a militaria badge dealer &  badge maker in the 1970's / 80's !
Smethwick & West Bromwich Fire Service was formed in 1948 when the N.F.S ( National Fire Service 1941 to 1947 ) handed back fire control to regional county & county borough fire brigades. Lasting just 19 years....i do not have to tell collectors how rare each variation that exists is, just ask yourselves how many firefighters were employed by this small county borough fire service ? 19 years would not have seen a large turnover & actual issued cap badges, with 6 DIFFERENT VARIATIONS in 19 years. I suspect minimal 50 badge orders of all 6 variations because of costs involved for such a small brigade on a budget !! SIMPLES ;o)
This gilt shields variation has an original enamel centre but has been added to a more modern standard economy issue, lined Marples & Beasley Badge Company Home Office star. A similar star to the original issued cap badges, the rear cap fixing lugs intact & showing signs of being worn on a cap at some stage in its life !