Thanks Alan all very informative to a novice on fakes like myself. What does die strike reverse mean.
arty

Die cast = solid back with no detail

Die struck = mirror image of front detail.

Hi Alan,

Die Cast - injection molding if two dies used or open cast if no reverse die.

Die Struck - Two dies (obverse and reverse) brought together under pressure of which the rear my be blank, a mirror image or of rough detail.

See Fake and Repros chapter of my book.

Regards,

Chris

QRIH A/A Cap Badge With Silver Crown.
 

Not sure if this is of interest. A QRIH A/A cap badge with silver crown not the usual gold. By J.R. GAUNT B'HAM.

Straying away from AA - I have some bronze OSDs which look'die struck' . Isthis possible within thin metal and cheaply produced ??
Also some whichhave a 'plain' reverse and some with only a minor indentation - eg a "depression" in the area of the horse's back.

Hi Julian,

Related to the thickness of the metal used perhaps...?

Regards,

Chris

That is interesting, can we assume an incomplete production?

John

Hi John,

Probably incorrectly made.

Back of badge is gold so this was the last colour used in colouring this badge.

As crown is also silver it seems that it was accidently 'stopped off' post silver dye application together with badge's harp and scroll.

Badge then dyed gold and later stop off paint removed reveling previously dyed silver harp, scroll and crown.

Badge would then be boiled in distilled water to seal aluminium pores and prevent ingress of dirt into the aluminium.

Which is why they 'stay bright' ...

Regards,

Chris

thanks Chris, as I thought.

John

I have the following badges which are for GOVENMENT SERVICE/ROYAL HOUSEHOLD. Two in gold A/A and one in silver A/A (I have seen the silver one being worn by the Queens driver)
Maker in order-FIRMIN LONDON, No maker, FIRMIN.
Badge are the same size, Middle one shows smaller.

I have the silver a/a version. Alan, if you are wanting to sell your gold version, please pm me :)

Gerry and Phil, I've seen the silver version worn by security staff on the gate and entrance of Scotland Yard.
Tony.

Off message a bit?
 

The title of this post drew me in...

I am currently a reservist. Some of my units trade badges seem never to have been available, or at least not in the memory of my major unit! I have seen 1 which was manufactured c 1968.

So we normally OFFICIALLY, or with tacit approval, employ Gurkha badges & obtain same via official channels, for those not available as the colours are just reversed.

I have just had made a small batch of a rather obscure one.

If they are the correct colours & ARE being worn when do they qualify as 'official'.

In my humble opinion if a badge is worn it's REAL.

Red Rags,

I would be interested to see what badge you have made if possible.

regards

Other than the missing maker mark, are these not identical to the "official" version, in two colours etc. Hard to say from your pics if this is all silver or silver and gold.
I have one in two colours that came from a"reputable" dealer, not silly money but a shame to think it is now worth nothing. With the new rules in the sales section, does this mean it could not be sold on the forum?