East Surrey Regiment cap badge
 

This East Surrey Regiment cap badge may be a fake or an unusual variant, I cannot decide which.

The die used had some obvious flaws, particularly above the first R of Surrey. There are no vertical lines at either end of the scrolls, which is worrying.

There are vent holes behind the central arms but not behind the star.

The slider is interesting in that it is of the hair pin type, which I have not seen before on an East Surrey Regiment cap badge.

Is it a poorly made war time example or an out right fake?

I have an identically constructed badge, hairpin slider and all, I think its OK .
Tony.

The only other example that I have that doesn't have the vertical lines on the scroll was made by Firmin. It does have a voided crown unlike this latest example.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ictureid=84801

Undoubtedly an original badge. I’ve always thought of these as being of WW1 manufacture.

Tony,

could you please post some pictures of the front and back of your badge?

Simon

It certainly has the appearance of a hastily made badge, probably due to increased war time demand. I have just never seen one before.

East Surrey cap badge
 

I have a similar one which I have had for some 50+ years and I'm perfectly happy with it.

Rob

Will do tonight after work.
Tony.

Thank you, that is reassuring. I think I am becoming over cautious, if not downright paranoid, about every badge that varies from the norm.

Simon

What is unusual about this badge, apart from the hairpin slider, is that the lettering has serifs. Not one of my other East Surrey Regiment badges has serifs.

East Surrey cap badge
 

Yes, the serif lettering is unusual, I bought this badge in the sixties from one W.Tobin for 1/9d (9p by today's prices).

If you bought badges from this man you bought with confidence.

Rob

Rob,

if I understand you correctly, your badge also has serifs?

Simon

Rob, up the wall last night so wasn't able to photograph my example, however I've posted a rear image on an old thread.
Have a look at post #20 here.
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...+Surrey&page=2
Tony.

East Surrey cap badge
 

Simon,
Yes, my badge has serif lettering, it was the first East Surrey cap badge I bought as I said from William Tobin.

When I saw one with sans serif letters I was at first suspicious, but as time went on I found out that my original serif letter badge was unusual. I don't have it to hand at the moment but I think the construction is different to the others.

Rob

Tony,

thanks for the link to the photo of the reverse of the badge. If possible, I would still like to see a photograph of the front of the badge.

Thank you,

Simon