West Hartlepool Fire Brigade formed in 1948 when the N.F.S ( National Fire Service ) handed back fire control to regional county and county borough fire brigades. With one fire station covering 7 square miles this small county borough fire brigade had 2 patterns of cap badge in force during its 19 year life span, merging in 1967 with the bigger Hartlepool Fire Brigade which carried on until 1974, then merging into Cleveland County Fire Brigade. 
Both patterns of original cap badges are fairly hard to come by, most being in private collections and the firefighters who served in this small brigade. They are quite sought after when emerging on the selling market and the gilt coat of arms cap badge 1st issue is probably the more desireable and i have sold these badges for 145 pounds each. The 2nd pattern is this red ring variation and this cap badge is in mint original condition. 
The badge has the enamel centre fixed to the standard economy issue lined Home Office star, both cap nfixing lugs intact to the rear of the badge and seem perfect never being attached to a cap. A great early mint condition cap badge for collectors of this era British fire brigade cap badges.