N.Z reinforcements good or bad?

[ukbrits]

Hi Gents,
Two badges I am not so familiar with.
1. 25th Reinforcements fitted with lugs?
2. 14th Reinforcements appears to be a 2 piece badge with poor rear definition
and no R.D no?

Your opinions appreciated on authenticity. Many Thanks in advance.
Ukbrits

[Tinto]

Hi Ukbrits,
The 14th looks good in spite of the poor definition at rear.
I'm not sure about the 25th, the long lugs are off putting.
Others may have other opinions.
Cheers, John

[redman]

14th looks fine. Xxv been relugged and burnt in the process so given it a funny look. Both a bit below par.
Kind regards

[atillathenunns]

Originally Posted by ukbrits

Hi Gents,
Two badges I am not so familiar with.
1. 25th Reinforcements fitted with lugs?
2. 14th Reinforcements appears to be a 2 piece badge with poor rear definition
and no R.D no?

Your opinions appreciated on authenticity. Many Thanks in advance.
Ukbrits

Hi Ubrits, the 25th badge looks to me to have modern replacement lugs but looks ok from the pictures.

Originally during the war the reinforcement badges were hand made by camp jewelers, but high demand required mass production quickly, so at the request of the camp jewelers dies were cut and many wartime reinforcement badges were stamped in the big press owned by Mayer & Kean.

The 14th badge is a generic frame and was introduced before registered design numbers were required, so was not in much use after the 14th reinforcements.
The one you have pictured lacks detail to the back and was IMO likely struck/cast by a jeweler, and IMO most likely produced post WW1 to supply the veteran/collectors market.
I think it comes down to what your happy with in your collection, I too have a B/14 identical to yours in my own collection that will do until a better one comes along.

Below are two 14th reinforcement frames that show detail from a heavy press
14th Reinforcements D Company ddddd.jpg
14th Reinforcements B Company s-l1600kk.jpg

[ukbrits]

Many Thanks Gents for your comprehensive replies,
Ukbrits.