OSD Collectors BEWARE!!! - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

2747andy · #1 10-03-09, 06:18 PM

Just had these delivered, came off Ebay and will be going back in the post (Return to Sender) in the morning!! First examples of OSD Repro badges I've come across, they are a very blackish brown, thin, glossy backs and short blades!

Posted as a cautionary for other collectors!

Andy

John Mulcahy · #2 10-03-09, 06:47 PM

There was a seller on e-bay selling fake OSD badges in about 2003/04, if I remember correctly his title was "UK Militaria Nottingham" or something like that. I took the bait, shipped back the fake badge and never saw my 20 quid ever again.

Thus Andy you are correct OSD badges with blades are now being faked also.

John

mgc · #3 10-03-09, 06:49 PM

I think I've seen some of these around. At least they're easy to spot as fakes, they're so obvious. Andy, thanks for posting!

#4 10-03-09, 07:20 PM

Thanx Andy

TRT · #5 10-03-09, 07:55 PM

A UK Militaria Nottingham is still trading as a main militaria dealer and has two sites with contact details on the web. He used to do some good stuff but mainly now absolute tat ( IMHO ) of course. He also stalls at some major fairs.

Regards

TRT

davec2 · #6 10-03-09, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2747andy

Just had these delivered, came off Ebay and will be going back in the post (Return to Sender) in the morning!! First examples of OSD Repro badges I've come across, they are a very blackish brown, thin, glossy backs and short blades!

Posted as a cautionary for other collectors!

Andy

Hello Andy,

Of all mine these are possibly, the three that worry me the most, particularly the Royal Hampshire, it's a shame, I think but some times you can't tell until you are told, hello, that sounds a little like me.

Dave.

cbuehler · #7 10-03-09, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davec2

Hello Andy,

Of all mine these are possibly, the three that worry me the most, particularly the Royal Hampshire, it's a shame, I think but some times you can't tell until you are told, hello, that sounds a little like me.

Dave.

Yes, Thanks Andy for the heads up, althought none of those would likely fool an experienced OSD collector.
With regard to Dave's badges, the QC RF badge is fine and the Finsbury looks ok too. The Hampshire certainly doesnt look very good, but it could be just a modern attempt.
CB

cbuehler · #8 10-03-09, 09:52 PM

Regarding the Finsbury, shouldnt the officer's badge be silver instead of blackened since it is a rifle regiment? Now I am not so sure on that one.

CB

matti467 · #9 10-03-09, 10:06 PM

Hants OSD Q/C were being made and worn up to 1992. It must be one of the few OSD Q/C badges to have been worn after late 1950s. Royal Fusiliers Q/C looks good.
Any good pics of pukka versions of the badges Andy put up so we may compare please?
Thanks
Matti
P.S. UK Militaria in Nott'm were selling a lot of silver 'sterling' marked capbadges. I fell for one but not again!

Sonofacqms · #10 10-03-09, 10:23 PM

The first four are quite easy to spot as they seem to be die-struck with blades added and a "bronze" wash. Certainly the backs are good indicators, it's a wonder they didn't put sliders on them!

cbuehler · #11 10-03-09, 11:19 PM

(quote)
Any good pics of pukka versions of the badges Andy put up so we may compare please?)

OSD badges varied considerably in size, quality, finish and style of blades. This is most evident on badges of regiments that did not change their badges for a long time, e.g. RF, Buffs, N. Staffs etc.
One persons genuine examples of the badges posted by Andy may look considerably different from another persons genuine pieces
Perhaps the best way to look at this is that no original OSD badge will look like those badges he posted here!

CB

Peter Brydon · #12 11-03-09, 07:08 AM

I got a list of badges from a dealer a couple of days ago and was interested and surprised to see a so called 6th Kings Liverpools officers service dress badge with blades.

Surprised because officers of the battalion wore a cord boss badge, presumably this was another OSD dud

P.B

davec2 · #13 11-03-09, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbuehler

Yes, Thanks Andy for the heads up, althought none of those would likely fool an experienced OSD collector.
With regard to Dave's badges, the QC RF badge is fine and the Finsbury looks ok too. The Hampshire certainly doesnt look very good, but it could be just a modern attempt.
CB

Hello CB,

Thanks for putting my mind at ease, over the RF at least but what about inexperienced OSD collectors ??

Also, when you mention the Finsbury badge being blackened, being to an Officer, do you mean blackened silver/brass or blackened bronze ?? mine is definately bronze but similar to the R Hants in as much as it appears to be made out of die-struck sheet ???

I can also remember reading some where that R.Hants was actually produced for the regiment but didn't go down too well ???

I have another EIIR crowned bronze to the R.A. this too is a heavy cast badge, would that be kosher ??

Sorry, I'm all questions.................................as usual.

Regards.

Dave.

cbuehler · #14 11-03-09, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davec2

Hello CB,

Thanks for putting my mind at ease, over the RF at least but what about inexperienced OSD collectors ??

Also, when you mention the Finsbury badge being blackened, being to an Officer, do you mean blackened silver/brass or blackened bronze ?? mine is definately bronze but similar to the R Hants in as much as it appears to be made out of die-struck sheet ???

I can also remember reading some where that R.Hants was actually produced for the regiment but didn't go down too well ???

I have another EIIR crowned bronze to the R.A. this too is a heavy cast badge, would that be kosher ??

Sorry, I'm all questions.................................as usual.

Regards.

Dave.

I dont know about the Finsbury Rifles badges or what the officers did wear. The blades on that badge look good however. Officers badges of many regiments, especially TF, volunteers etc., changed frequently and I suspect some badges were produced, but worn for very short periods before being changed again, or worn for a trial period and rejected. All up to the whims of the commanding officer perhaps.
Most OSD badges are cast and have blades, but not all! I would assume that your cast QC RA badge is probably good. One good thing is that OSD badges have not been reproduced or faked to any great degree, and those that are have not been very well done.

CB

davec2 · #15 11-03-09, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matti467

Hants OSD Q/C were being made and worn up to 1992. It must be one of the few OSD Q/C badges to have been worn after late 1950s. Royal Fusiliers Q/C looks good.
Any good pics of pukka versions of the badges Andy put up so we may compare please?
Thanks
Matti
P.S. UK Militaria in Nott'm were selling a lot of silver 'sterling' marked capbadges. I fell for one but not again!

Hi matti,

Two out of four, I know who has a very nice N. Staffs, he took it off me on a famous auction site !!!! and he is a forum member to boot.

Anyway, my two are good, sadly, some " plonker " and I mean that most sicerely folks, decided that the R.W.K. would look better if they BL**DY painted it.

I will bring it back one day, all the best.

Dave.

PS, Not the best photo's in the world, sorry, DC

PS, Thanks again to CB, I completely missed your last post, surfing with my eyes shut, practicing for 2012 ?? or is that the wrong surfing, or perhaps even the wrong games, anyway, cheers, oh and yes, the QIIR R.A. is a lovely cast, smooth backed, two bladed, maker marked ( Gaunt London ), two piece badge but it's still that, IMO, horrible chocolatey colour, as are several of mine ???