Solid silver RTR officer cap badge KC

[rubicon]

Hello Folks,

I recently bought this cap badge on ebay and I would be pleased to know fellows opinions about it? It is a heavy solid silver cap badge with maker mark at the rear. Do you know if the marks "L&Co" and "STERLING" can give a clue to know at which period it was made? J-F

[Voltigeur]

Bonjour J-F. Maybe John Lawrence -say Ledsam Vale & Co ( period....?)according to a silversmith directory that I have checked.
Salutations
Jo

[tynesideirish]

Due to lugs and general appearance of the lettering Can't be more specific than 1923 -1934. However Silver badges mainly with sliders where made to this pattern until the Coronation in 1953 but I'm doubtful of a post 34 date.

I believe we are into the Sterling -v- Hallmark argument again ! Simply marked Sterling, my personal view is that it is later rather than earlier. The key is the maker's mark but even if it is a reproduction, the perpetrator may have gone to a silversmith who had their own mark - to add to authenticity. I hate to rain on anyone's parade but today's fakers are going to great lengths to create plausible items to raise high figures - especially on eBay. Regards. David

[pressguard]

Mark most probably Ludlow & Co as they tend to mark Sterling on Badges most probably wartime issue 1940s

[KLR]

I'd go with Ludlow too, they mostly made officer's badges of 2nd WW period.
Regarding HM or not it was simply the cost. If you wanted to pay extra for having had the badge assayed so be it, many preferred the cheaper option.

[fearnaught]

Hi, I'd go with KLR but say it was probably earlier than later as both of mine, which are different production runs, have a die flaw not apparent on the badge shown. I'm at work now so can't send an image. If you want I can send one later. The flaw is an indentation above the gun barrel.

[rubicon]

Thanks to you all for help and your useful remarks.

Fearnaught I would be pleased if you could add your silver RTR cap badges pictures to this thread and explain what do you mean about the die flaw you mentioned in your reply?
J-F