*British, WW1, RAF Pilot's Wings, Sweetheart Brooch, Gilt Metal, Possibly by H.E.&S. or H.B.&S.*
Charming WWI RAF sweetheart brooch, gilt metal with crown and wings, possibly by Herbert Edwards & Sons or Herbert Bushell & Sons, Birmingham, c.1918 – a touching token once worn by the loved ones of early RAF airmen.
A First World War period RAF sweetheart brooch, cast and stamped in gilt metal, measuring 4.5 cm by 1.8 cm. The design features outstretched wings surmounted by a King’s Crown and enclosing the intertwined letters “RAF.” The reverse is stamped “HE&S” (or possibly “H.B&S”), “OCT,” and “FRONT”, together with a simple horizontal pin and clasp fitting. These markings are characteristic of Birmingham makers working in gilt and silver during the late war years, with Herbert Edwards & Sons and Herbert Bushell & Sons both known producers of sweetheart jewellery.
Historical Note:
The Royal Air Force was established on 1 April 1918, merging the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Almost immediately, a wide variety of sweetheart brooches and patriotic jewellery appeared on the market, sold in jewellers and regimental outfitters. These inexpensive gilt examples were often bought by servicemen and gifted to wives, fiancées, and mothers. The additional stamps — “OCT” and “FRONT” — were likely workshop or batch instructions, ensuring correct assembly and plating during manufacture. While similar brooches continued into the inter-war years, the style and construction suggest a late WWI example.
*Condition*
The brooch shows surface wear and rubbing to the original gilt finish, with age-related toning and patination to both obverse and reverse. The pin remains intact and functional, though the reverse shows areas of oxidation consistent with age. The stamped lettering is legible though softened, leading to some uncertainty over whether the maker’s mark reads “HE&S” or “H.B&S.” Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RQMAOXBO_7779214877
