Yorkshire Dragoons - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Alex Rice · #1 16-12-17, 12:51 PM

Hi All
Just picked this up. To me it looks genuine, nice crimp on the slider, but it almost looks too good, the blackening is nearly pristine so I thought I'd ask the experts. What do you think, good or bad?
Thanks in advance, cheers,
Alex

manchesters · #2 16-12-17, 01:13 PM

Alex,

Probably original but has had a new coat of the wrong type of black paint.

regards

Alex Rice · #3 16-12-17, 02:21 PM

Thanks Simon
Why do you say that though, it looks pretty original to me? Interested how you can tell that as I know nothing about blackened badges other than they are blackened...

Cheers,
Alex

manchesters · #4 16-12-17, 04:05 PM

Alex,

I based my opinion, and its only my opinion, on the thickness of the paint, the shine, the lack of wear and the similarity between the front and rear.

I have painted my own badges in the past where the original blackening has been removed and they look pretty much like yours.

If as you say it looks pretty original to you I am unsure as to why you asked "the experts" opinion in the first post?

regards

Alex Rice · #5 16-12-17, 04:39 PM

Hi Simon
My questions are because I'm trying to learn. I am no expert so a second opinion is always welcome.
Cheers,
Alex

Alan O · #6 16-12-17, 04:44 PM

This badge has been restruck - and I mean restruck ie reproduced using original dies. This makes it nigh on impossible to say that it is 100% genuine. It's also been faked with new dies but this is not one of those.

In your case the slider appears to be of the contemporary style so is a better bet for being original. It has been repainted so is not the best example.

Alan O · #7 16-12-17, 05:10 PM

If you want proof that the dies were restruck then this is an example from the 1970s period when original dies were used. FN Bham's dies were used. The England mark is a restriker's mark. There is a well known dealer who will tell you that these are period NAAFI badges but that is so he can sell you them as contemporary: Laurie Archer recorded the fake Engand mark in the 1970s.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yorkshire...wAAOSwlXhZapTt

Alan O · #8 16-12-17, 05:35 PM

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-...EAAOSw1~JZOoZT

Imo this is a 1970s restrike from an original die but with a 1970s faker's slider. The style of slider is distinctive and not from the WW1 period.

Alex Rice · #9 17-12-17, 07:33 AM

Thanks again for all the replies. It only cost GBP2.50, so worth it anyway

Cheers,
Alex