Hello Steve,
I don't think Off's QC gilt beret badges lasted very long after 1968. I never saw anyone wear one at any rate. I don't have mine anymore. Wasn't very interested then.
As far as I know none of the silver SOA badges have escaped onto the open market. They are hallmarked (very, very small) on the back of one of the swords (saifs). They also have four loops on the ends of the swords and on the original the loops were at the end of the scroll. The silver ones had rather skinny silver split pins. I had them made with four shortish loops because the originals had two very long loops and used to flop about on the beret. They cost £5 each to make in 1980. And no I don't have any spare!
The standard version was white metal and the only way you could tell when worn was that in the silver version the colour was richer and that on the original the gun wheel had an obvious rim. These were worn by all ranks except in 8 Bty.
Eddie
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