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  #1  
Old 13-06-20, 03:41 AM
DDEV DDEV is offline
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Default Black Watch and Gloucestershire

How do these badges measure up?

This Black Watch badge looks much better than the Highlander badge I posted yesterday. Judging from the crown it would be a real stretch to have someone wearing it in WWII.

The issue I have with the Gloucestershire badge is the berries on either side of the Egypt bar. I googled the badge and did not see one with three berries arranged like this.
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  #2  
Old 13-06-20, 06:03 AM
Alex Rice Alex Rice is online now
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BW looks ok to me.
Cheers,
Alex
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  #3  
Old 13-06-20, 10:03 AM
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Glosters badge is the "berry" variation. Designs of badges do vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. I'd say it's a 'right' badge.
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  #4  
Old 14-06-20, 01:47 AM
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Both badges look OK, although the Gloster is not the best example. That BW QVC badge has always had me wondering why they are so common. I have one just like it and have seen what seems like a gazillion of them

CB
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Old 14-06-20, 03:34 PM
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CB's post and reference to 'gazillions' of QVC Black Watch bonnet badges on the market does raise questions, and as such unfortunately I do take a contrary view and have to say your badge is not one I would go for.

My view is based on a number of things, but mainly the superior workmanship evident on badges from the Victorian era. This workmanship can readily be seen in the jewels that are in the band surrounding the base of the crown. They are usually very finely cut, centred and evenly spaced. What they appear not to be on a QVC badge is amorphous higgledy-piggledy lumps.

Secondly as very abrasive cleaning chemicals were not readily available until after the turn of the 20th century, QVC badges usually exhibit fine detail. On a QVC BW badge there is often visible detail on the thistle 'bulbs' and this is one of the areas worn away by polishing/rubbing with later cleaning chemicals.

When I was looking for one there were other things such as lettering shape and the shape of the device (flower?) at the bottom of the quoit that I also looked at before buying.

I hope my comments have been constructive. Anyway here are some photos of the things I mention.
Mark
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  #6  
Old 15-06-20, 12:13 AM
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I agree that there may be something fishy about these BW badges. There seems to be a few too many floating about, which does not make sense. The quality of the strike is not quite up to what QVC badges usually exhibit and the lugs do not have have "the look" either. Any further input by members would be appreciated!
CB
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Last edited by cbuehler; 15-06-20 at 12:21 AM.
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  #7  
Old 15-06-20, 04:26 AM
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Thanks for the comments.

CB, I don't know if it makes any difference, but the badge came from the U.K about eight years ago.

Mark, your post is educational to say the least. I've included a close-up of the centre of the badge. Whoever made this badge did put some effort into it which makes it even more maddening! I much prefer the fakes that are so bad they make us laugh.
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Old 16-06-20, 09:41 AM
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I do agree, it makes life so much easier when it's an obviously wrong.

Anyway here are a few Victorian St Andrews to compare yours with. The last is probably not too relevant as it's from an earlier bonnet badge, but perhaps worth showing.

Having said all this, I do have a right ropey looking St Andrew on a VB badge - which I'm sure is correct.
Mark
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  #9  
Old 16-06-20, 12:28 PM
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Here is the one I have with brass lugs
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