I'm afraid the market is flooded with copy badges with makers marked vertical shanks (sliders), its just another ploy from the unscrupulous makers of such junk to try to make the badge look more authentic.
I have posted a link to a Firmin marked (fake) 25th Dragoons cap badge currently on ebay in the reproductions section so its not just Smith & Wright marks.
Have a look at the scotmint website where there are currently some makers marked badges which I certainly would not have in my collection, including a couple of Smith and Wright examples.
A good starting point to identify correct (and for that matter incorrect) makers marks is that kindly compiled by Forum members at top right of the main page under current projects.
Kind Regards,
FMT600
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