The Wakefield City Fire Brigade cap badges from this period are often described as "rocking horse poo" when a collector is trying to find an original badge. I have seen a few fakes of this badge, the most common being the small circular enamel centre that often comes from a broken up commemorative cap badge set of brigades that made up West Yorkshire in 1974. These were produced by Marples & Beasley in the late 1980's but there are several variations of the original cap badge & like the small brigade of Smethwick & West Bromwich Fire Brigade in the West Midlands, each variation is highly sought after by collectors.
Wakefield City Fire Brigade consisted of just one fire station covering a small area of just 9 square miles, any wonder these original cap badges are prized items !
There are small & large star variations & also variations on the badge itself being colour of the shield ( blue or black ) & gilt or enamel fleur de liss symbols in the centre of the shield !
This variation depicts the larger disc fixed to a standard economy issue Home Office star, the enamel fleur de liss within a blue shield & gilt surround. In excellent condition, both cap fixing lugs intact to the rear of the badge.