General Question.....

[Bronzestar]

With being new to this site and only collecting replacement badges, patches for past family members to complete sets they would have had in ww2. I'm so surprised by the amount of fake items that are out there. You would think that as badges and patches were made for each service person you would have loads to go round. As I've noticed it's not just the rare ones but also the common ones get copied.

[Padre]

Some are copied specifically for reenactors, so that they can be 'used and abused' without destroying genuine items. Others are frequently used as display items, for example, with signed prints framed behind glass, again so genuine items arent used. Generally these are easily spotted for what they are.

[magpie]

You used to be able to buy fake badges by the gallon/half gallon ice cream tub with one price for the cavalry and anther cheaper price for inf/Corps and you paid by the lb taking your purchases out in carrier bags, some people where in and out of the fair literally within 5 minutes not being wanted to be seen.

[lifeochil]

Originally Posted by Padre

Some are copied specifically for reenactors, so that they can be 'used and abused' without destroying genuine items. Others are frequently used as display items, for example, with signed prints framed behind glass, again so genuine items arent used. Generally these are easily spotted for what they are.

There are not that many re-enactors in the world. Fakes are sold because there's a big market for them and the profits are good.

[Hoot]

Honest graft means nothing to low-life con merchants, they would rather rob the blind than do a proper job. Those scumbags are the reason I gave up the hobby and I know many others who did as well.

[Frank Kelley]

There are still very many original pieces to be had, moreover, when it comes down to basic cap badges from the Great War period, it really is not that hard to buy original examples given the quantities actually made.

Originally Posted by Bronzestar

With being new to this site and only collecting replacement badges, patches for past family members to complete sets they would have had in ww2. I'm so surprised by the amount of fake items that are out there. You would think that as badges and patches were made for each service person you would have loads to go round. As I've noticed it's not just the rare ones but also the common ones get copied.

[cbuehler]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

There are still very many original pieces to be had, moreover, when it comes down to basic cap badges from the Great War period, it really is not that hard to buy original examples given the quantities actually made.

Fully agree with this. A shame so many actually buy fakes when genuine badges are to be had.

CB