Material: Anodized Aluminum (Staybrite)
Size: 52mm W × 52mm H
Description: A St. Andrew’s cross surmounted by a circlet inscribed “NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT” surrounding a thistle head.
Reverse: Flat-backed construction with long brass pin and loop fastening; four-rivet attachment for cross overlay.
Circa: Mid 20th Century
Notes:
Introduced in 1959 to represent the newly formed Lowland Brigade, which unified several famous Scottish regiments including the Royal Scots, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, and Royal Highland Fusiliers. This badge served as the general brigade device until the Scottish Division reorganization in 1968. The Latin motto translates to “No one provokes me with impunity.”
Anodizing is the electrochemical bath that thickens the natural oxide layer on aluminum to make it durable and allow it to hold colored dyes.
Staybrite became the catch-all "brand name" used by British soldiers because the badges stayed bright and eliminated the need for daily polishing with metal cleaner.
If you are holding a piece of military metalware, you can immediately associate it with the Staybrite name if it has these properties:
Weightless feel: It feels incredibly light compared to heavy, traditional die-struck brass or white metal.
Unnatural gloss: It features an intense gold, silver, or black sheen that looks almost like vacuum-plated plastic, yet it is cold, rigid metal.
No tarnish: It will completely lack the green "verdigris" rust or dull brown tarnish found on vintage brass.