Long Range Patrol Badge

[pukman]

I managed to get some photo's of the rare and extremely collectable Long Range Patrol badge off a local collector.The Long Range Patol was a elite New Zealand unit operating as a reconniscance group ,behind enemy lines ,in the Western Desert,Lybia/Tunisia and latter in the Greek Islands, during WW2.

The badge was made in limited numbers,in Egypt,and then the die broken.The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG),a latter British/NZ/Rhodesian unit,the badge is copied extensively.I have heard anecdotes that their are copies of the LRP badge also.Because it is an elite unit ,it has international appeal,and these badges go for multi thousand dollars /pounds when they come up for auction.

The genuine LRP badges are made of silver,with stamped Egyptian silver proof marks.They originally had a gold wash,and traces of this can still be found on genuine badges.

I hope others add to this thread,and i welcome comments.

cheers iain

[grey_green_acorn]

In the book "Bearded Brigands - The legendary Long Range Desert Group in the diaries and photographs of Trooper Frank Jopling" Appendix II illustrates the LRP badge and describes its history.
Edited by Brendan O'Carroll (author of The Kiwi Scorpions) and published in New Zealand 2002 by Ngaio Press and in the Uk by Leo Cooper in 2003.
ISBN 0 85052 9557

[saumua]

Gidday Iain,

Not all were hallmarked.

Originally Posted by pukman

I managed to get some photo's of the rare and extremely collectable Long Range Patrol badge off a local collector.The Long Range Patol was a elite New Zealand unit operating as a reconniscance group ,behind enemy lines ,in the Western Desert,Lybia/Tunisia and latter in the Greek Islands, during WW2.

The badge was made in limited numbers,in Egypt,and then the die broken.The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG),a latter British/NZ/Rhodesian unit,the badge is copied extensively.I have heard anecdotes that their are copies of the LRP badge also.Because it is an elite unit ,it has international appeal,and these badges go for multi thousand dollars /pounds when they come up for auction.

The genuine LRP badges are made of silver,with stamped Egyptian silver proof marks.They originally had a gold wash,and traces of this can still be found on genuine badges.

I hope others add to this thread,and i welcome comments.

cheers iain

[saumua]

See

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...hp?albumid=209


Copies (yes there are some) are cast not stuck. A 20x eyepiece shows this straight away. Copies are damn rare too.

Shaun

Originally Posted by saumua

Gidday Iain,

Not all were hallmarked.

[pukman]

Hello Shaun,
I'm definately no expert.I have seen only one genuine one.
I am going by a few sources that tell me that their are extremely good copies of this badge,missing the Egyptian Hallmark.

Cheers iain

[saumua]

Thanks Iain,

I have seen/held 5 genuine examples some with some without hallmarks.

I have also held two of the copy badges and have one (will post photos). The copies were cast (too damn expensive to make a die). Cast badges will always become obvious (read very very obvious) under magnification. If its cast its a copy period.

Shaun

Originally Posted by pukman

Hello Shaun,
I'm definately no expert.I have seen only one genuine one.
I am going by a few sources that tell me that their are extremely good copies of this badge,missing the Egyptian Hallmark.

Cheers iain

[pukman]

Thats cool Shaun,only going by what the Christchurch boys tell me,

cheers again ,iain

[woronora]

I am sure that many have seen this NZLRDG badge currently on UK eBay; item number 130485174373. To looks to me to be cast copy. I would be interested in others' comments.

Cheers

John

[saumua]

Certainly looks cast.

[Kiwi ric]

its upto 399 pounds

Originally Posted by Kiwi ric

its upto 399 pounds

it sold for £497 so some one thinks it ok

peter

Originally Posted by peter616

it sold for £497 so some one thinks it ok

peter

i asked the guy what metal it was made from he replied:

Hi there thanks for your interest, not sure I've tried to clean a small area with silver cleaner and the tarnish came straight off! Badge dosen't feel like modern repro, might be theatre made and silver plate. hope that helps a bit! Regards Charles

[saumua]

well last one I saw sell here in NZ sold with an arab head gear for NZ$5k