pegasus - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

natal01 · #1 06-07-18, 08:54 AM

About a month ago I posted pics of a pair of Pegasus patched on the "fakes " section of the forum and was hoping that someone would be able to tell me whether they were ok, or simply more junk that has been churned out to cater for a market ever willing to waste money. The "fakes "section of the Forum seems to be one of the most used sections ( sadly ) and so my post was swamped by others before I could get any responses. Obviously the right people weren't looking at that section in my post's short window of opportunity.
I have had these patches lying in a box for about 20 years waiting for authentication. The old saying that "time heals" doesn't apply to badges. 100 year old fakes are still fakes ! So, can someone with some experience of British special forces badges tell me whether the patches are good , or if fake, what to look out for in future ?
Many thanks
Mike

popskipa · #2 06-07-18, 10:39 AM

Not what I collect but they look fine to me. No doubt you will receive other opinions too.

Enjoy the hobby, Keith

Phill Lockett · #3 07-07-18, 05:55 AM

Hi Mike

Possibly what scares off collectors about these pieces is the cloth stabilizer backing. The embroidery style appears WWII era, some will call into question the shape of the spear point and other nuances as being post WWII.

There must of been many private purchase from Tailor's with varying degree's of construction used during the war and post war.

I know thats confusing, for me to save all the "hurts my head" yes or no and even worse the exchange rate (NZ to GBP) the only embroidered style peggies I will collect are paste back and from known dealers plus some times I get lucky.

Its a positive that Keith has given thumbs up.

Phill

natal01 · #4 07-07-18, 09:43 AM

Hi Keith and Phil,
Thanks for your responses. I like the photos of good patches as one needs "gold standard "items to make comparisons. I know that the argument ( maybe from our more paranoid brethren ) against publication of pics of good badges is that they then become the pattern for fakers to produce more accurate fakes. There may be some logic to this, but personally I want to increase my knowledge of badges and so I really appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge.
Regards
Mike

Arnhemjim · #5 07-07-18, 01:34 PM

Hello Mike,
You may want to glance at the check list of validation criteria compiled in a blog article I've posted on the British Airborne Forces formation badge (Pegasus and Bellerophon); http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/p/british-militaria.html . Scroll down a ways as it is well into the article. At least one of the badges shown I acquired on a trip to London as a midshipman in 1955.
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

Hawthorn · #6 08-07-18, 06:30 AM

Arnhem Jim,

A very helpful article, thanks for posting the link.

Regards Simon.

natal01 · #7 08-07-18, 06:48 AM

Hi Jim,
Looking at the genuine embroidered patches illustrated in your excellent article, I can see enough points of difference to consign my patches to the "junk "box. I suppose a major difference would be the black material backing backing on mine, which is absent on the illustrated original.
Many thanks
Mike

Phill Lockett · #8 08-07-18, 06:21 PM

Hi Mike

I don't think you can dismiss as junk pile , maybe they were late 40's-1950's for 16 Airborne Div. TA 1947-56 period.
If so quite a nice set.

Phill

natal01 · #9 09-07-18, 10:31 AM

Hi Phil
It may well be that. Is there any way of confirming the originality of the later version ?
Regards
Mike

Phill Lockett · #10 09-07-18, 06:45 PM

Hi Mike

Someone who is more versed than I could answer that.

I could be wrong but the thread and stitching is more akin to WWII era than say post mid 50's,but that is an assumption on my behalf.

Put it this way I don't think its a fake/reproduction.

They did use them along with the Sky Blue on burgundy Parachute Regiment title.

Below is a printed variant of 16 TA 1947-56.

In my main collection of US Shoulder sleeve Insignia I like to have WWII and post WWII 1950's Airborne patches to show the difference the same I would like for my British Airborne collection.

Hence why I don't throw or discard any SSI/FS/CST into a junk pile.

I will have post WWII insignia identified (assumed they were WWII at the time) to a specific time period,on here, and put them in my database as such for future reference as they are legit insignia also you never know, in my case, I could start a new sub-collection.

Phill