Both original and copy badges have been stamped with this mark. Unfortunately a lot of original badges have been rendered worthless by this.
Just to muddy the waters, a number of original unmarked anodised badges have also been stamped in this way. Fortunately, the fake stamp is different to the genuine one used on original M&B anodised badges. The top line of both stamps is 16.5mm long but there are a number of differences:
Genuine Stamp:- The letters are mores spaced out (positive kerning);
- the ampersand is central between 'MARPLES' and 'BEASLEY';
- the three horizontal bars on the second 'E' in 'BEASLEY' are the same length;
- the 'B' of 'BIRMINGHAM' is under the 'RP' of 'MARPLES'; and
- the 'M' of 'BIRMINGHAM' is under the 'A' of 'BEASLEY'.
Fake Stamp:
- The letters are very close together (negative kerning);
- the ampersand is noticeably closer to 'MARPLES' than 'BEASLEY';
- the three horizontal bars on the second 'E' in 'BEASLEY' increase in length, top to bottom, appearing to follow the left hand edge of the 'Y' in 'BEASLEY';
- the 'B' of 'BIRMINGHAM' is directly under the 'P' of 'MARPLES'; and
- the 'M' of 'BIRMINGHAM' is directly under the 'S' of 'BEASLEY'.
If you have any anodised badges, with Marples & Beasley marked sliders, it's worth checking that you have the correct stamp as there are quite a few badges with the fake one in circulation.
Graham