It's still out there!

[iaindh]

Hi Frank,

I don't actually have one of these but one to look out for.
I'm very scared buying British badges as there's so many fakes.

Weather here has been low 20s with chilly overnights of 6 - 8 but still live in shorts
You are in the dpressing month of October, damp, cool, miserable....
Have the clocks gone back there?

kind regards, Iain

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

Hello Iain,
Thought you might like it, being a "tankie" certainly one to look out for if you don't already have an example in your collection, not that rare in particular either, moreover, rather cheaper than the more usual Gaunt piece when they turn up.
Is it nice and warm down there with you?
Not great up here with me!
Kind regards Frank

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Iain,
I think that anyone who ever collected Anglo Boer War, South Africa was very much the place to actually be buying British Badges not so many years ago really, the attached all came from there (the Chambermaids was always a favourite as a boy!) harder to find down there now of course.
Notwithstanding, it is really still just about knowledge and being confident enough about what you are buying, real badges are all around in considerable quantities too, I can see no reason to buy copies of anything.

South African badges are and always have been a very safe bet, certainly as far as not wanting to trouble your back side with copies, I think some of the nicest badges were made pre union and they can still be had in South Africa for very little, I do remember buying a super little Border Light Horse many years ago now and thinking it was one of the best badges that I'd ever seen at that point in time and I still do, even today.
The crowns had a shaped piece of white metal to the reverse of the springbok's head and this continued down it's neck.

Yes, it is rather depressing, the mere thought of winter here, I think BST ends, as far as clocks are concerned on the last Sunday in this month.
Kind regards Frank

Originally Posted by iaindh

Hi Frank,

I don't actually have one of these but one to look out for.
I'm very scared buying British badges as there's so many fakes.

Weather here has been low 20s with chilly overnights of 6 - 8 but still live in shorts
You are in the dpressing month of October, damp, cool, miserable....
Have the clocks gone back there?

kind regards, Iain

[iaindh]

Hi Frank,

I'm fairly confident that I do know a good badge but have to buy through Ebay as few Brit badges come up on the local site. It is therefore easy to be conned as a pics can easily be biased although buyers that have nothing to hide show the reverse and allow magnification.

The BLH badge you spoke of must be O333, almost like the Warwicks badge but the stag has a crown on the back of the head. A nice badge but very delicate looking.

kind regards, iain

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Iain,
I think ebay is fine if you know and trust any particular given seller or you have enough knowledge about the item you are buying to know beyond reasonable doubt that it is the real thing.
Yes, the Border Light Horse was, from memory raised on the Eastern Cape Border after the Anglo Boer War circa 1903 and became the Cape Light Horse before the Union, do you have one, if not buy the next you see!
They were very well made indeed, but, not a stag, certainly a springbuck of some sort or other!
Regards Frank

[iaindh]

Hi Frank,

I've never actually seen a BLH badge for sale but a CLH, yes. However, I dont have either; they are outside my field of interest at the moment and sadly I cant buy everything.
Probably is a Springbok ram tho' it looks very similar to the Warwicks badge without the chains.

regards, Iain

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Iain,
Well, I just like the period in question, it was worn for six years or so, the badges are always so well made, but, if it does not fit into what you collect, it really does not matter, I'll find one and put it in the SA section for you.
Regards Frank

[iaindh]

Hi Frank,

thats not to say I wouldn't like to have one, I just cannot collect everything. I do agree, it was a very interesting period but i've tried to specialise in certain areas as the field is so vast.

regards, Iain

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

Hello Iain,
Well, I just like the period in question, it was worn for six years or so, the badges are always so well made, but, if it does not fit into what you collect, it really does not matter, I'll find one and put it in the SA section for you.
Regards Frank

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Iain,
Done, in the South African General Topics section!
Kind regards Frank