The Croydon Fire Brigade post ww2 issue cap badges have a few variations, however the gilt variations are highly desired by collectors as they are Auxiliary Fire Service issues. These include a brassy base metal finish, the gilt issue we have here, 3 variations of painted issues where the firemen painted the shield, some just 2 parts & others fully painted. ALL are sought after & harder to obtain as Croydon fire brigade is also regarded as part of London & was eventually amalgamated into the GLC London Fire Brigade in 1965 ( Greater London Council )!
Croydon Fire Brigade had just 3 fire stations covering 20 square miles & the amount of variations from the commoner chrome version to these highly prized gilt variations make the croydon badges interesting for the length of time, 17 years of the post war brigades. 
This gilt issue is an early post war issue showing brass through the chrome lugs to the rear of the badge. Later lugs were all chrome so a good indication of an early badge. The gilt enamel centre fixed to the standard economy issue, lined Home Office star, both cap fixing lugs intact to the rear of the badge. There is a small enamel chip on the red scroll part of the badge where the word BRIGADE is located on the badge. Otherwise a really nice gilt example.