Argyll Light Infantry Tank - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Bill A · #1 01-02-08, 01:14 AM

An ARGYLL LIGHT INFANTRY "TANK" badge, Canadian army reserve, WW2. (A bit of an oxymoron for the regimental name.) This is the modified badge, which took the Argyll Light Infantry and added the TANK tablet. These are reproduced.
Note the reverse of the die which shows the mirror of the TANK. Many copies do not have this. The badge was also rhodium plated, and the lugs show the plating as well. The unit, as a TANK regiment got away from the brass badges and used plated badges as being more in keeping with the armoured role.

GregN · #2 01-02-08, 02:35 AM

Very nice and super rare. I've never examined a real one to know what it looks like vrs. a fake.

G

Pylon1357 · #3 01-02-08, 02:39 AM

I usually take great pride in my powers of observation, however Bill A, many thanks for the heads up on the word 'TANK' being mirrored on the reverse of this badge. I took a look at some images and noted the fakes right off by lack of the mirror.

Funny how I never clued into something so obvious before. Many thanks.

WJ Miller · #4 06-09-08, 09:55 PM

Killing time this afternoon... found these photos of my badge on my laptop. Odd how the plating on these badges does not cover the entire back surface

Bill M.

WJ Miller · #5 09-10-08, 04:16 AM

Listed as an "Original", it isn't.

ebay listing

Surface lacks distinct details, lettering is wavy/ragged, the word "Tank" doesn't show through to the back.

Bill A · #6 09-10-08, 11:21 AM

I saw that listing as well. That badge appears to be a cast badge, not a struck one.

GregN · #7 09-10-08, 02:40 PM

Guys, I'm still inclear on this badge. Are there 2 versions? One with a separate tank tablet soldered on and another with the tank incorporated into the design?

Greg

As an aside I saw one at the last gunshow, cast and flat backed with a nice W.Scully, Montreal stamp on the back. The seller who is a great guy had labled and priced as a fake

jim a · #8 03-08-09, 02:08 PM

Bill... I wasn't thinking of a BRASS ALI TANK , More so one in W/M. Mine hasn't been plated.

jim a · #9 03-08-09, 02:10 PM

Bill A · #10 03-08-09, 02:19 PM

That white metal badge, in my opinion is the correct badge for the ALI Tank. They are very scarce. I think the brass ones were run and then plated as they were not what the regiment wanted. More research needed.
Thanks for the image Jim.

jim a · #11 03-08-09, 02:38 PM

Bill... that's a very plausible explanation of the plated badges... I guess if someone had a plated badge that was worn down there should be brass underneath... or so the theory goes... anyone have such an animal?

Bill A · #12 03-08-09, 02:59 PM

Hi Jim, My example shows some wear on the high points. It came from a fellow who served in the regiment late 44 through 45.