[Luke H]

Overall I’ve probably seen a just over half a dozen examples but para badges are not something I actively look for.

I own two, both acquired within the last year and both have no traces of loops. Photo of my more recent buy is attached.

My other (which shows its age far more) has an unmarked clipped slider, again no scars - it’s in a tin somewhere. If you’re interested I can try dig it out?

Officers badges would be private purchase rather than contractual order so I don’t think too much inference can be drawn from them.

Re your last point, is there any evidence to suggest Gaunt ever stopped producing para badges at wars end? We still had paratroopers who would’ve needed badges and Gaunt had been and still were one of the army’s main suppliers of cap badges.