The Essex County Fire Brigade formed in 1948 after the 1947 Fire Services Act passed fire control back to regional & county borough fire brigades from the N.F.S ( National Fire Service ).

The first pattern badge had 2 variations, one of which being a chrome ERROR badge with a batch of 200 issued & recalled by the brigade when they realised the error.This is the gilt variation is in great condition for its age with no chips to the enamel the centre fixed to the economy issue home office star via a thin brass pin. The 2 cap fixing lugs also complete to the rear, a fine condition cap badge of the 1948 Essex County Fire Brigade in 100% original condition.