Dates
 

I have been collecting cap badges for a few years and one of my problems is dating them. Considering how the sale prices are going up. I think the time has come for people/companies selling badges give more information relative to dates etc. - My feeling is that these people/companies are starting to ask
exorbitant prices knowing that they will not be asked to give full details about what they are selling. I would be interested to hear what other people think?

I think you may be asking a lot from a number of dealers who sometimes don't even know what they are selling and on the other side are the sellers of duds going to say "design worn 19-- to 19--, this example made last week "

Peter

Even if a badge is in hallmarked silver many sellers would not have a clue about it's age.
Eddie

Thanks for you opinions, may I make another suggestion. There are sellers of badges who perhaps do, or should, know the dates of a badge, cannot those sellers put the dates on their sales pitch for a badge. To me, buying a badge without knowing the dates or approx dates removes the interest in collecting has gone out of the window.

If someone is selling a badge for tens of pounds surely the potential purchaser has a right to know the history of the badge, and if they don't, or don't supply the history then perhaps one should not purchase the badge.

Dear Engineer and brass,

As a new collector I dont wish to put you off or seem in any way 'bullying' but, playing devils advocate I have to disagree with your suggestion, in that I believe if you are going to invest in something, whether its a badge or a car, its upto you, the purchaser, to research that item before you buy it.

There are no end of badge books on the secondhand market, the majority of which will answer you dating questions.

Dealers tend to assume that you know what you are buying when it comes to 90% of their badges and only the 10% which are rare or obscure need further explaination by way of dates.

Just my thoughts.

regards

Quite a few dealers have a habit of dating rather optimistically, how many 1902-1950's badges are sold as WWI era?

Rgds, Thomas.

Part of buying a badge for me, is to research and date the badge and if possible have a photo or postcard with it being worn. :)