Welsh Regiment - A.J.Allen Maker Mark

[41st]

Here's one that intrigued me and I couldn't resist bidding.

It purports to be an 1898 pattern cap badge to the The Welsh, complete with circular braise hole and maker mark to A.J.ALLEN (B'HAM) LTD.

Looks okay in it's uncleaned condition, photos 1 & 2 refer, but somethings not right so give it a clean and:-

1. Non matching gilding metal alloys for the crown and title scroll resulting in different colours.
2. Very poor detail to the seeding on the background of the title scroll.
3. A very upright crown unlike anything I've got on all my other WR badges.
4. Grey solder to the top of the shank.
5. Shank itself appears to have been hammered and is soft (I can bend it with my fingers).
6. Never seen this marking before. I've only ever come across ORs badges to the WR marked to Lambourne or with the Gaunt plaque.
7. Oh and a quick check at companies house indicates that A.J.Allen were incorporated in 1941. A little after 1920 then.

The last photo is a genuine example, although lugged.

Lets be careful out there!

Hwyl,
Kevin

[2747andy]

Kevin,
I know you are not a fan of this particular pattern Welsh Regt badge, but the only thing fake about it is the applied makers mark! It also appears with "Welch" too! Both variations perfectly pucker!

Andy

[41st]

Andy,

I'd buy the main badge if it wasn't for the complete contrast in colour between the crown and title scroll which has not come out too well in the photo. The crown is a coppery colour and the crown a much lighter brassy tone.

The shank is a complete fantasy piece which I reckon has been applied to an earlier badge.

Kevin