24th Kooyong Regt
 

Another question for the Aussie experts.
The attached KC Kooyong Regt cap badge is of a shiny yellow metal manufacture, possibly to emulate gilding? It is very reminiscent of later QC finishes.
I have also scanned it next to a brass/gm KC badge to show difference.
I am asking whether it is a genuine period strike or not.
Thanks
GTB

What's the back of the badge look like?

Really need to see that to say if its a copy or not.

Mick

Hey gtb
Always put a pic of the front and back of the badge up when asking a question especially if it genuine.
The back tells us more than the front does
Bc

Hello GTB

The 24th Kooyong badge is definitely one of the copies that is circulating at the moment.

Compare the lettering against your 43rd Hindmarsh, the lettering on the Kooyong should be as sharp as that.

Same goes for the details in the crown of the badge.

The fur on the koala should also show a lot more detail on a real badge.

Let me know if you want a photo of a real one.

Regards

Dennis

Thanks, all, for your input.

Re pics of backs, that's my stumbling block as I never got round to utilising a camera/mobile to take and upload photos but rely only on a flatbed scanner which, unfortunately, denies focus of anything proud of the platen. I'm mired in the past,so to say.

Dennis, Re current fakes. I don't know when they hit the market but I've had this badge along with many other of my Australian items, for a good many years. I admit the metal doesn't seem right for a wartime badge but on its own that isn't conclusive. Thanks for detailing other factors to consider

GTB

GTB, during the 1970s an outfitters known as Christies (still exists), located in Sydney, was selling gilded metal copies of quite a few 1903-1953 period badges. They have been associated with Amor, a badge-making company, in fact they may be a joint operation now.

I'm not certain what the base metal is but it doesn't take much to remove the gilding. I seem to recall they were cast, hadn't seen the Kooyong Regt badge before but the finish on the front reminds me of the stuff you could buy from Christies back then.

Cheers, Keith

Thanks, Keith,that's a very enlightening reply and I expect it clinches the question of a fake issue. Locally bought about 25 years ago.
I am scanning alongside a QC badge to illustrate that both appear to be manufactured with same process. No backmarks. I take it that the Kennedy Regt badge although QC, may also be suspect? (Actually, after scrutinising back of Kennedy badge, there is a Swann Hudson mark within the boomerangs).
GTB

gtb
they both look no good and as keith said, they look like the chrities copies.
bc

bc,
Please refer to my edited post which crossed yours
GTB

The Kennedy Regiment looks ok from the front.

I suspect the Kooyong is probably a copy. Without looking at the back, to me the front of it looks way too shiny.

And Keith, I thought Christies bought Amor?

Mick

Thanks. I concur with your conclusion

GTB

lol
im the opposite. i think the kooyong looks like a plated good one but the kennedy is an atrocious copy.
unles we see the backs no one is going to know.
what badges had this shine plated look to them. none
bc

I think you are correct Mick. From the RAA point of view I have noticed that some non maker marked die-struck badges exhibiting the same gilded metal finishes sold by Christies are identical to the Amor marked post 1953 QC RAA badges.

It is quite possible that the former Amor dies are being used for some of the modern copies. They weren't supplying regimental/corps badges prior to WW2 that I can see.

Keith

I'll see what I can do.
In the interim, I can tell you that backs are also shiny plated finish, including loops (W-E). The Kennedy is heavier in the hand and, as I said, has Swann Hudson backmark.
GTB

here mate
havent got my collection handy but here are a couple of my spares. sorry for the poor 24th.
hope this helps you
bc