Material: Silvered metal and blue enamel
Size: 20 mm w × 23 mm h
Description: This original Second World War period lapel badge was manufactured as a vital piece of war service insignia for personnel serving in the civilian merchant fleets. The centerpiece showcases the bold, raised metallic initials "MN" set against a brilliant, translucent royal blue guilloché enamel ground. Encircling the central oval is an intricately rendered representation of a ship's rope rigging, which finishes with a traditional reef knot at the very base. Surmounting the entire design is a highly detailed Naval Crown, adorned with alternating ship sterns and square sails. Reverse is unmarked with a buttonhole clip.
Circa: 1939-1945
Notes:
The British Ministry of Shipping and Board of Trade officially authorized this badge in January 1940 to serve as an official form of national identity and war service documentation. Because merchant mariners did not wear standard military uniforms while ashore, they frequently faced unfair public scrutiny, verbal abuse, or white feathers from citizens who mistakenly assumed they were evading their military duties. Showing this badge instantly validated that the wearer was performing highly dangerous, essential war service at sea.
While the standard official-issue variant produced by the Royal Mint was crafted entirely out of solid sterling silver without coloring, this beautifully enameled style was a highly popular private-purchase alternative. Sailors purchased these out-of-pocket from civilian jewelers to wear with pride, and they were also frequently bought as "sweetheart" jewelry tokens for wives, mothers, and partners left at home.