Historical information

This box of sampled is typical of those issued to official manufacturers of military badges, insignia, and buttons to ensure the gold colour remained consistent. These badges were held by the Third Army Quality Assurance Unit (3AQAU). The manufacturers were often local companies, where an example of a typical supplier is KG Luke who also manufactured the Brownlow Medal, the award given annnually to the Australlian Football League's best and fairest player.

Physical description

A rectangular wooden box with a black velvet-like cushion in one side. cushion has 10 examples - 2 of each kind - of military insignia and buttons of two different shades of gold colour. Box opens on one long side and is hinged (4cm brass hinges with 3 screws in each side). Clasps on opposite long side, also of brass. Wood has been stained a dark brown. Base off box shows 14 brass staples. Corners of base show 2 nails, possibly brass. A typed sheet of paper is attached to the inside of lid, dating from 1993, explaining usage of samples. Paper tag affixed to cushion between samples - Department of Defence authenticating samples in box. Tag attached with fabric tape and secured using a lead seal.

Inscriptions & markings

Paper taped to inside lid - title 'SEALED SAMPLE 8455-03311' - a lengthy description of contents and box follows. Please refer ot photograoph for further details.
Typed tag on cushion - 'Department of Defence/SEALED SAMPLE/Sealed sample Number 03311/Stock Number 8455/Description STANDARD OF GOLD COLOUR FOR INSIGNIA, BUTTONS AND BADGES (ANODISED) ALUMINIUM ALLOY 1150/APPROVED. The supply is not to differ from this sealed sample except as endorsed on the back hereof./D Darby [signature] 29/06/1993 /EDE VFE SCDDG [stamped].'
Reverse of tag (stamped in red within a thin lined border) - 'SEALED SAMPLE/NOT TO BE/DESTROYED OR/MUTILATED'