Old Contemptibles badge
 

Hi All,

Does anyone know if the old contemptibles lapel badge has been faked?

Thanks,

Michael

I have certainly never seen a copy.

Thanks Frank.

I'm guessing from the number of views and lack of replies that no one else has either.

Thanks a lot,

Michael

I've got a beautifully HAND-ENGRAVED one that has been lovingly done with (I suspect) a dental burr. It's old for sure and even has a gold pin.

Anyone want a pic?

Yes please

Yes please

Done! I'll dig it out and take a pic.

I've also got one of the standard Old Contemps badges but it would appear to be a later version as it has a different fitting and may not be numbered as they usually are.

It is also the most beautiful untouched "chocolate bronze" colour (like officer's caps and collars) making me wonder if they weren't all this shade originally.

Hi folks

Here is a pic of that hand engraved Old Contemptibles badge. The size is fraction smaller than the "original" and you'll see that they didn't have the room to write "association" in full!

The pin on the reverse is gold as is the catch. It looks as if it's been done with a dental burr as opposed to true hand-engraved work.

Stand by for more Old Contemps badges!

Here is a small selection of Old Contemptible badges.

The NSW version is a little less common I would l think and interesting to see that the owner felt that a plated badge at least LOOKED nicer.

Interested in comments on that "pin back" version with the "red cross" in the centre.
I'm wondering if it's not one for nurses as it is:pin-backed (usually only worn by women)[LIST] the centre image is the same as is seen on the "arm bands" of the nurses.

The gold version appears to be cast from a lapel badge, with the top bar saying "PAST PRESIDENT 1948-1949" and the "medal" is marked "10 K" with the stamp "T.LEE".

The carat mark would suggest that it could be made in Canada or the U.S.A. as this "standard" is used quite a lot.

Thoughts?

Just to follow on from the reason for my original post, I got this badge on Amazon but couldn't see the back of it until it arrived.

I'm guessing it's a real one that has been repaired but I was just wondering what people thought, it's obviously not a period repair but is it an old repair?

Thanks,

Michael

Hi

In my opinion a later issue of this badge. The numbers are "sans serif" whereas my examples are serifed and usually have a letter (A;B;C).

The "half-moon" clip on most badges is bronze and marked with a TOYE & Co incuse stamp.

The brass one could be a replacement, or it may be the latter style of fixing.

Hope this helps

Also on the older badges, the "half moon" is mounted up the other way....

Just had another look at your badge pics. I'll still go with genuine but a later issue (I have an unnumbered bronze one with a much later "half moon" clip)

I was wondering if your one had been through a fire as there looks to be some scale to the back. Or when the "new" fixing was attached hard soldering (as opposed to the lead solder that we often see on all manner of badges) produced this.

I've carried out some repairs to badges over the years and know this side effect well. It can be removed by pickling in dilute acid, but remember to thoroughly wash this off and scrub with a soft brass brush.

Thanks for the replies, I thought I'd share this badge of mine in case anyone is interested in it.

Michael

Hi Michael

I think that I've seen this one with a curious "north-south" post on it and my one may be hallmarked silver, but I'd have to check it out.

Interesting to note that Toye & Co seemed to have the monopoly on Old Contemps badges. I guess that cutting a die for a badge was a fairly costly proposition so they tended to go with those they knew.

I was also once told that some firms would produce the die for free (or at a low cost) and make their money from the badges struck from it. The die then remained the property of the firm, ensuring that the association would be customers "for life".

Should the group choose to move away from the original maker, they would have to pay to uplift the die or get a new one cut.