Isle of Wight Rifles

[Nicholas]

I would be grateful if someone could give the attached the once over. Many thanks, Nick

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[Luke H]

The BB top right is genuine, as is the chromed one. Obviously the chromed badge would not have been worn like that in service as evident from the wear under the plating.

The two on the left, top and bottom, are both fake.

So 50/50 hit rate for IOW Rifles.

[Nicholas]

Thanks Luke but how on earth can you tell? Crimped slider on the BB I can understand, but the others.....?

I believe the chromed badge was worn by cadets on the IoW

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by Nicholas

Thanks Luke but how on earth can you tell? Crimped slider on the BB I can understand, but the others.....?

I believe the chromed badge was worn by cadets on the IoW

Many reasons.

That type of fake is very well known and has numerous tell tale features for example, the laurel spray within the circlet has an overly heavy outline giving the leaves a hollow appearance. There is a small notch out of the metal on the left hand side creating a gap between the outermost leaf and the crown, the lettering on Princess Beatrice’s scroll has rounded ends, as does the battle honour albeit this is less apparent.

Add to the above the strike, sliders and in better photos the metal will also give further clues to them being not correct.

... But would the cadets have polished their badges heavily to the point rubbing them smooth and then had them chrome plated? I doubt it. It’s a worn badge that has been plated later for display.

[Phil2M]

Originally Posted by Luke H

Many reasons.

That type of fake is very well known and has numerous tell tale features for example, the laurel spray within the circlet has an overly heavy outline giving the leaves a hollow appearance. There is a small notch out of the metal on the left hand side creating a gap between the outermost leaf and the crown, the lettering on Princess Beatrice’s scroll has rounded ends, as does the battle honour albeit this is less apparent.

Add to the above the strike, sliders and in better photos the metal will also give further clues to them being not correct.

... But would the cadets have polished their badges heavily to the point rubbing them smooth and then had them chrome plated? I doubt it. It’s a worn badge that has been plated later for display.

Or cadets were given hand me downs?

[Nicholas]

Thank you. Now I see the flaws and have unearthed a reproduction in my own collection. Maybe it is best to remain in cheerful ignorance?
Now hunting for a proper one at a good price.