Guards Machine Gun Regiment- Officer?

[Terra Nova]

For your consideration, this Guards Machine Gun Regiment badge. It looks like it may be silver, either sterling (.925) or coin silver (.800) but is not marked, in any case. It could be silver plate though has not worn through anywhere as tends to happen. It feels to have the density and weight of silver. The front looks quite good and the detail, overall, is very clear and is superbly and finely cut around the cipher, with nice, sharp angles and clear flourishes. Now for the back.

The back looks pretty rough as though it was cast and then hand finished. The lugs look right for the period but with slightly longer stems and marginally larger loops than on standard issue badges.

The badge does not exceed 2 mm at the deepest and does not feel "clunky." It is 46 mm high and 41 mm wide. Overall, it is slightly toned suggesting that there may be some age to it.

I solicit your opinions as to whether this is a good badge or not and, if not too much trouble, what are the relevant clues. Thank you.

Tim

[2747andy]

Tim,
looks a bit rough?

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...hp?albumid=229

Andy

[wright241]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

For your consideration, this Guards Machine Gun Regiment badge. It looks like it may be silver, either sterling (.925) or coin silver (.800) but is not marked, in any case. It could be silver plate though has not worn through anywhere as tends to happen. It feels to have the density and weight of silver. The front looks quite good and the detail, overall, is very clear and is superbly and finely cut around the cipher, with nice, sharp angles and clear flourishes. Now for the back.

The back looks pretty rough as though it was cast and then hand finished. The lugs look right for the period but with slightly longer stems and marginally larger loops than on standard issue badges.

The badge does not exceed 2 mm at the deepest and does not feel "clunky." It is 46 mm high and 41 mm wide. Overall, it is slightly toned suggesting that there may be some age to it.

I solicit your opinions as to whether this is a good badge or not and, if not too much trouble, what are the relevant clues. Thank you.

Tim

As Andy has mentioned, I can't see the quality I would have expected in an officers badge at all. There arn't any "clues" as such, this apart from the extremely poor finish.
Daavid

[Terra Nova]

Thank you, Gentlemen, for your thoughts. I agree - he front looks quite presentable, though I regret my meagre photographic talents don't do it justice. The back, as you note, on the other hand, has experienced no attempt to "pretty it up" as you would typically find with officer badges. Someone is going through a lot of wasted effort, if a faker, by failing in a rather obvious way, to "cover his tracks."

I am much obliged for your thoughts.

all the best,

Tim