Raiding Support Regt & SAS

[Cleeman]

Included in my purchase of "auction fever" items were these two. The first being the RSR in near mint condition. I suspect it is in mint condition because it is a new reproduction item. However, the waxed paper backing and the style of bricks to the turret do not appear on other known copies.
Can anyone help and advise if this is indeed a copy.

Secondly I also have this SAS badge, currently affixed to a sidecap. Is this genuine or a fake?

I will take more care at auctions in the future.
Many thanks
Andy

[manchesters]

Hello,

As I said about the Army Flying Badge, same I'm afraid, typical modern pakistan made .

regards

[popskipa]

If they were listed as original why not send them back...

Keith

[grenadierguardsman]

Id agree, send them both back.
Andy

[Cleeman]

Hi Keith,

Believe me I would love to. Unfortunately in the small print of their terms & conditions they state:-

"Medal & Militaria Items - Reproductions.
Due to the large number of reproductions currently being produced for Film, TV, and Re-enactment, it is increasingly difficult to ascertain the authenticity of some items. Therefore we can offer no guarantee to their authenticity and are sold as seen. We recommend that prospective bidders satisfy themselves of an items authenticity before bidding."

I learned three lessons today
a) read the small print of certain auction houses
b) stick to what I know and don't buy items on impulse
c) there are other collectors/dealers out there deliberately trying to deceive!

Thanks for your messages.
Andy

[Mike B]

Difficult lessons - but once learned always remembered
Research, Research, Research - there are NO shortcuts
Mike

[Belly]

Surely the biggest clue to their originality was the price!
Unless of course you didn't have much change from a couple of grand
I'm guessing only £10s was spent though, so it might be a very good value lesson, as Mike says the 3 Rs!

[Cleeman]

Tragically not £10's and I purchased about 10 lots from them including cap badges. Everything "junk". The dealer/collector who dumped his bogus stock knew what he was doing. The Auction House was sadly equally duped as well as me.

The 3 "R's" are now tattooed on my brain....

[Frank Kelley]

I would have actually thought that most salerooms who sold lots like that, knew very well, indeed, what they were doing, hence any disclaimers!

Originally Posted by Cleeman

Tragically not £10's and I purchased about 10 lots from them including cap badges. Everything "junk". The dealer/collector who dumped his bogus stock knew what he was doing. The Auction House was sadly equally duped as well as me.

The 3 "R's" are now tattooed on my brain....

[grenadierguardsman]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

I would have actually thought that most salerooms who sold lots like that, knew very well, indeed, what they were doing, hence any disclaimers!

Yes Frank your probably right.
Andy

[popskipa]

Cleeman,

I sympathise with your plight, we all like a bargain, but in future please do your homework before bidding. Use the forums and research the item before committing.

However, if it were me I would contact the auctioneer, send them a link to this thread, and ask for your money back. If they don't respond positively name and shame them.

The disclaimer the auctioneer uses is a lazy way out. It is easier to put in the caveat rather than seeking an "expert" appraisal. Many auctioneers know full well they are selling fakes but value their sales commissions more than their reputation.

There are many historical threads on this forum that warn collectors of fakes in auction (I do it whenever I spot fake LRDG items in auction), make a note of the auctioneer and be wary when bidding at that auction. Always, or whenever possible, inspect the item yourself before the sale and seek second opinions if unsure.

Also be wary of insignia stitched on a scrap of uniform cloth as this is often done to disguise the fake by preventing examination of the reverse. I have recently noticed tissue paper backing being used as a similar disguise. The reverse often reveals more about the originality of the cloth badge than the front.

These ramblings are my advice and opinion for your consideration, use or ignore as you wish...

Keith

[pontecagnano]

eBay item # 232489295105 is the RSR badge's twin.

The front is a little more distressed and there's a nice variation of the paper backing with stitching holes. I saw one very similar at the last Bromley Militaria going for £120. Can't say if it's the one on eBay but it had the same white paper backing with holes.

Graham

[Mike B]

Graham and all
Note the name in Graham's ebay link - it appears the same as the seller of the tat discussed earlier
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ad.php?t=64262
... there should be a law against it!
Mike

[pontecagnano]

Well spotted Mike!

Graham

[Cleeman]

Having contacted the Auction House, they have agreed to refund my money for the Lots that are not genuine. Admittedly I should have taken more care (and certainly will do so in the future!) and researched the Lots a lot more thoroughly before I bid on them.
It is good to see that there are still organisations out there with honesty and integrity.
Thank you to all who contributed to this post and the others.
Kind Regards
Andy