Fake W/M Wiltshire Volunteer Badges

[Alan O]

There has been a rash of wm wiltshire badges on the market recently - all from the same die. Some are being sold openly as fakes but others not so. Comparing the die to a known good brass one there are only very minor differences. When you compare the central void over the scroll between the wm ones and known good brass ones, the wm ones are oval where as the brass ones are much bigger. The genuine AEA, PP and a/a ones all have this larger non-oval void where the void extends out the edge of the cross.

This oval fretting (highlighted in yellow on the centre one) is the common feature with all the wm ones on ebay at the moment - even the open fakes. They all have the same short non-tapering slider which is another common factor that I dislike.

Does anyone have a wm version that does not match any of the one shown?

Second question is does any one have any evidence that there was a pre -WW1 volunteers Wilts badge or was there just the BB 4th bn one?
Alan

[pinfrin]

1st Wiltshire Volunteer Rifle Corps badge [MoonRakers ~1902]
with colleague
Military Grass Farms badge [Sickles & Swords. Date ?]

[Brandy] barrel on VRC badge links to [Palm Toddy] jugs
on Army of India silver Temperance medal [1897] and the
1611 [Wine] Goblet Emperor's Gold badge*. Haven't seen
more on the theme, searching to another commonwealth
circa Naval Duumvirate 311 BC.

*Lot 1188 from http://db.stevealbum.com/php/top_auc...sale=18&cust=0

[PJT]

Alan,

See what you think to this one.

I've also seen the BB 4th like the copy ones you show with a Marples & Beasley Birmingham slider!

Paul

[Alan O]

Do you have a picture of the back? It looks OK from the front.

[PJT]

Alan,

Here you go.

Be interested in your opinion.

Paul

[Alan O]

I like it and would buy it if I saw it for sale.

[pinfrin]

http://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/resear...n/detail/12719

[wardog]

Should the void be full size on all Wiltshire Regt. GM badges? Regards, Paul.

[Alan O]

The oval void is a maker's variation peculiar to the modern fake die and found on GM, WM and black badges. If I was buying a badge I would avoid it but you cannot rule out that a genuine one could have this characteristic so I would also consider the slider and patina.

[Phil2M]

These two both have the oval void, what do you reckon?

[2747andy]

Phil,
I'd be more than happy with the Gm example, not so with the black one! PM me for a top tip!

Andy

[wardog]

Yes- I have one similar to Phil's 1st badge. Same fault at 8 o'clock on cross arm. I'll post sometime. Regards, Paul.
PS- I also have a 4th Bn badge that is a bit larger than the standard GM badge-full size void.