M1957, Croft was active over at least the last 15 or so years until recently. They used several pseudonyms on ebay including badgeman2005, plus several others.
The focus of the investigation was the medal forgery, but they made many many fake badges. Most of the badges were struck in soft brass which lacked the crispness and detail of authentic badges. For the Essex Scottish the key is the fact the badge is in brass, there is a "softness" to the striking.

Essex Scottish Badges
 

Here is the image of the backs of the previously posted badges we have here .

Essex Scottish Badges
 

Thanks Bill . Badge on viewers left we purchased from a local long time collector . The discoloured badge we paid $7.50 from a used book dealer who bought a collection of military books . A box of badges was thrown by the family handling the estate . If it's a fake we're not out too much .

Here a two Birks marked badges. A nicely struck piece with a pin back,.. unsure if this is a sweetheart or for other use. The other is a white metal piece with traditional lugs East and west. The first badge is of a much higher quality than the second in my opinion

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8be1dc17_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...246f2dfe_b.jpg

Birks were sub-contracted to make badges during the Second World War. Their badges are a bit scarcer. Nice examples.

Essex Scottish Badges
 

Very nice badges . Would the badge on the viewers left, with the broach style
fastener , be an officers badge ?
What type of metal are they constructed of ? I'm lacking in knowledge of metallurgy .
Those are quite nice . Thanks for posting .
Robert.