Hawke Btn
 

I have two versions of the Hawke Btn cap badge, one has a Gaunt title, the other has no maker marks which was IMO manufactured by another maker, this has probably been discussed before on the forum, but I would like to other collectors ideas on these two badges.

Thanks for looking.

Rob

Rob

The Gaunt badge is 100%. It’s the correct die and a genuine plaque.

Personally I don’t like the second badge, and wouldn’t buy it. Although it’s not the standard ‘Turkey vulture’ repro and it has stamped loops which as seldom seen on fakes the very poor reverse stamp on the scroll and the purple colour make me sure it’s a duffer. Additionally the detailing on the front, especially the feathers, are very poorly done which is in keeping with repros.


Luke

The rope on the scroll doesn't look too good either imho.
Andy

Hawke Btn
 

Thanks chaps for your thoughts on my Hawke Btn badges, the purple discolouration is where I brazed a replacement stamped loop which I made from sheet brass.

I have a Hood Btn badge with the same type of loops and I think these were made by another manufacturer possibly later during the Great War, however I hope someone may verify this.

Rob

Unfortunately the level of fakery has been so great in RND badges that any maker's badge other than Gaunt's is regarded as suspect.

the fact that most of the designs are one piece des not help.

RND
 

My other Hawke badge was bought for a very small amount as it had one loop missing, the loops as you can see are the flat type which I think were used by a maker during the Great War, I have seen this type of fixing on some Scottish badges of Great war vintage and it is my opinion that there was another maker other than Gaunt, this I would love to find out, but I do take your point Alan about them being heavily faked.

Rob

There is a long thread somewhere on the forum about alternate RN Div badge makers which also, if I remember correctly, came to the conclusion that there must have been more than one manufacturer.
Will see if I can track down a link.
Cheers,
Alex

RND thread
 

Alex, thanks for finding that thread, I had completely forgotten it, old age I guess or alcohol . . !

Rob

Alcohol I hope...:rolleyes: :D