NHBS Membership Brasses.

R.J. Bradshaw.

Every member who joins the National Horse Brass Society will receive one of our numbered year brasses, the design of which, is sent in by members and voted on by the postal ballot contained in one of our twice-yearly newsletters. When the design choice is finalised these brasses are then manufactured in Walsall by a firm headed by our own Terry Keegan who was the founder member of the NHBS. Indeed, each brass is stamped on the reverse with the K.B. mark, and the individual members own number, which, in its own way, makes each brass unique, and therefore personal to that member.

Above; Members Brasses for 2004, 5, 6, 7, and 8 all of which have been waxed, as has this years issue for 2009 below. It is amazing what a bit of engravers wax can do to the look of a brass.

Brasses are received, at the start of each membership year, in a finished, polished state, but members can still add their own personal touch. Personally, I like to treat mine like the old tradesmen often did, by waxing the intaglio detail (see above) with red or black engravers wax, (available through most good craft suppliers) which, I feel, really adds a touch of authenticity and imparts a certain depth to the design. Before this is added however, some members like to give the brass a real “going over” with metal polish just to start it on the road that leads to that, special, silky texture that the older brasses in our collections have often arrived at. For the really determined member however, this finish can be had in a relatively short time, for as any old National Service member will tell you, its amazing the finish that can be achieved with a bit of Brasso polished with some light cardboard.

Indeed, those members that like to go that extra mile often mount their year brasses on Martingales or other decorative strapping. Once again, and on a strictly personal level, the author has included two such straps that readily illustrate the effect that can be achieved by using two such items of modern, leatherwork to show off a “run” of year brasses. These can then be polished on a regular basis, in-situ, which really adds to the overall impression, and indeed, all the four-brass strap (left) really needs now is a horse to attach it to.

(Left; from top to bottom, an NHBS "special" made especially to raise funds for further Award Brasses, the 2001 members brass, 2002, and finally the 2003 brass.

Right; a millenium theme is achieved here with the 1999 members brass top, followed by the 2000 brass and at the bottom, another NHBS special Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the NHBS in 2000.

In recent years it has been noted that these brasses are rapidly becoming collector’s items in their own right (see Ipsden page) and, as such, NHBS member brasses are often seen on ebay these days. Certain years are now highly sought after, especially the earlier ones, and these often command good prices especially the founder members brass, one of which, fetched a three-figure sum in 2008.

It is nice to know that as a society, we are able to produce something that is, quite obviously, highly regarded as a collectors item in its own right so the NHBS Committee sincerely hope that, you, the members will continue to submit your designs, and cherish our membership brasses, which, as we have seen, are often an appreciating asset in a league of their own.

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The National Horse Brass Society

NHBS Membership Brasses.