2 Interesting French Badges
 

Have been going through boxes of late. These 2 have been set aside with a note to find more information.

The first is a collar badge. My recollection is the badge had come with some other French items from the Indochina era. However I have been unable to find any reference or a similar piece in my searches.

Second is a badge that appears to commemorate the battle of Messifre or Moussiefre. This being a battle between French forces against Druze Rebels. The French force initially being made up of French Foreign Legion soldiers. One of which was the 4th Squadron of 1st REC "Foreign Cavalry Regiment" and may correspond to the 1 in the center of the badge.

The battle took place during the Syrian revolt of 1925-1927. The badge itself is thinly stamped and consisting of 3 pieces to include the pin. The Legion 7 flame grenade and central device set against an approximate representation of the Croix de Guerre.

If anyone has any additional information on either of these it would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance
Jack

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbfqaolrs.jpg

http://http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...psu5r23srp.jpg

Could the first one be Portuguese?

Had not considered that.
Jack

According to scant informations that I have.....
Memorial insignia made for the battle of Rachaya et Messifre (in 1925), of 4e Escadron of the 1er REC, late 1920s, Produced in Cambodia but never issued. Made in 125 exemplaires.It seems that the original insignias had an Indochinese coin soldered to the back.

Jo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Musayfirah

Hi Jack,

Ok with BTNS, the collar or arm badge on the left does not look French ...

@Jo , be careful, the 1st REC badges made with a old Indochinese coin has been made by a french collector/dealer in the 80's ...

Best regards .. Herve

Thank you for the information,it's appreciated.
Jo

Thanks Jo and Herve for this information. So is the 1st Rec badge I posted a reproduction?

Jack

Hello Jack

here is a Messifre badge
I can't say if genuine....
http://militarybadgecollection.com/2...ges-part-2.htm

I can ask a french forum if you want ?

the first badge (crossed rifles) is not french, for sure !

cordially
Didier

Hi Didier,

The REC badge is the well known fake I mention in #5...
http://www.i-m-l.com/popzoom.html?sr...ime=1222180042

Best regards .. Herve

Thank you Herve and Didier. Will move my badge to the duffer box

Jack

Hello Irish

more informations:
This badge stayed in the state of project and was realized thus never
In 1992 a counterfeiter made this badge

https://sites.google.com/site/insign...ec/3esc-projet

cordially
Didier

Thanks Didier for the website,great Legion badges.
Jo

Agreed , great website. Many thanks
Jack