Description: The piece is an original, early twentieth-century official military Royal Army Reserve buttonhole lapel badge issued by the British War Office. Struck in solid sterling silver, the detailed central relief work features the heraldic crowned lion of England standing atop a smaller Tudor Crown (King's Crown), which directly overlays two crossed medieval broadswords. This complex centerpiece is cleanly wrapped by a wide outer title garter band proudly bearing the raised block inscription "ROYAL ARMY RESERVE". Resting at the very top apex of the circular boundary is a larger, fully matching King's Crown structure to confirm its pre-1952 design origin. Measuring exactly 20mm in width by 25mm in height, this scaled-down insignia was explicitly produced as a "mufti" pin, intended strictly for civilian wear in the buttonholes of suits and sports coats by off-duty or de-mobilized personnel to demonstrate their active reserve readiness. The flat reverse side is fitted with a specialized crescent-shaped buttonhole clip attachment and carries a localized cluster of official British silver assay marks.
Circa: 1937-1952
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