opinion on 14 Punjab badge on eBay listing
 

Recently, I saw an eBay seller posting this 14th Punjab regiment badge. Still waiting for a rear image, but from what I see, the fronts seems crude and is a lugged version. Any ideas regarding whether this is a copy or a real one? Thanks.

The Link:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-...sAAOSwMRJci3-Z

It looks like a sand cast example and a lot of the war time issued Indian badges were sand cast. Unfortunately, it is difficult to tell the difference between a war time sand cast badge and one made in the Rawalpindi bazaar five years ago. I would prefer to own one made by a recognised manufacturer.

I know the silver officer's version is made in London, not sure about the non-officer's version though

The rear of the badge. Very crude and scarred. While I have heard of outsourced badges, this seems way off

These locally made cast badges range from very crude, as this one is, to quite well made.
As mentioned, no way to tell if it is modern or older, although the crudity of this one leads me to lean towards modern.
These are fairly common badges and I would wait for another better example.
With regard to "outsourced" badges and insignia, it was the norm for most Indian Army material to be made in country, but much officer insignia could be obtained from either British or Indian makers as well.
Additionally, British regiments stationed in India usually had certain types of insignia such as Pagri flashes locally commissioned and made.

CB

Thanks for the detailed info. The same situation was also seen in pre-1997 Hong Kong in regards to outsourced badges.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Scarce-WW2-...4AAOSwKpFddV7Q

another appears, both front and back seem too crude. any thoughts regarding this?

That is the way most Indian made badges are; virtually all are cast. I think the badge on epay is OK, although over priced.

CB