Opinions please on brass K.C Parachute Regt cap badge

[ukbrits]

Hi All,
I have read Arnhemjims excellent thread and think this all brass Parachute Regt cap badge may well tick all of the boxes.
The badge shows no signs of being plated or ever had a silver wash added to it.
Your opinions welcomed on the authenticity of this badge.
Many Thanks in advance.
Colin

[Paul Spellman]

Colin,
The voided crown and lion are believed to be early versions as well as being brass nickel plated, yours does look as though it has probably had the nickel removed in some way
I was gifted this one today which has the non voided lion and crown, which dates to 27/4/43 or before
Paul

[JerryBB]

It does appear to be an early example with some tarnishing and I would think it has lost it s silvering.

These early badges are known to sometimes loose the finish, though not as completely as this one.

Has it been dug up as that will strip the plating/wash?

[ukbrits]

Thanks for your comments Paul & Jerry,
To answer your question it appears to show none of the signs of being dug up.
It looks like a badge that missed the silvering altogether?
Regards
Colin

[tcrown]

Hi Colin,
I have a non voided badge which has also lost most of its nickel. I initially thought it was polished somehow as stated in Oliver Lock book.
Your badge looks fine to me.
Pierre

[Jack8]

Originally Posted by tcrown

Hi Colin,
I have a non voided badge which has also lost most of its nickel. I initially thought it was polished somehow as stated in Oliver Lock book.
Your badge looks fine to me.
Pierre

This badge is the same pattern as the one posted earlier by Paul Spellman, in my opinion they are not genuine WW2 made pattern badges. They have very poor definition in the crown and lion, the edges of the inner curved wings are smooth instead of raised. Also the lugs have been attached with a grey coloured solder instead of the more usual yellow brass brazing.

They have appeared at Militaria Fairs unused in large numbers over the last few years usually in cardboard boxes with MOD markings, with some sellers stating that they were earmarked for the post war Palestine conflict. It may well be true but I am not convinced.


Jack

[tcrown]

Jack, you may be right. My badge came with a Kangol 1945 dated beret.
Do you have any explanation about the discoloration?

[Jack8]

Hi Pierre,

I don't know why your badge is discoloured. I am interested to know where your beret came from with this badge on it?

Assuming your beret is a good one I would put a nice Gaunt badge with the die flaws or a voided crown badge on it instead of this one.

Jack

[tcrown]

Jack, I don't have reason to believe my beret is not genuine. Could the badge not have been issued post war?

[Jack8]

Originally Posted by tcrown

Jack, I don't have reason to believe my beret is not genuine. Could the badge not have been issued post war?

Pierre, I personally don't think that the badge was issued post war and have my doubts as to whether it was issued at all, this badge is not what I would like to see on a 1945 beret. Whether it is a genuine WW2, post war or simply a fake badge is a matter for debate, whereas a Gaunt pattern badge has definite WW2 origins and would much better suit your beret for very little financial outlay compared to the value of the beret.

Ultimately it is your badge and beret to do with as you wish, all I have given is my opinion after collecting mainly WW2 Parachute Regiment badges for quite a few years. Perhaps others on here will contribute to this thread to give their opinions.

Jack

[tcrown]

Jack, I remove the badge and we can clearly see its outline on the beret. A Para badge was attached to this beret for a long time. I can't really see why someone would have changed the badge given its relative small price compared to the value of the beret.
To me it's another indication that Parachute Regiment badges were produced with multiple variants and the story is far from being complete.
I would value any other opinions.
Pierre

[Frank Kelley]

Just from the photographs it looks okay.

Originally Posted by ukbrits

Hi All,
I have read Arnhemjims excellent thread and think this all brass Parachute Regt cap badge may well tick all of the boxes.
The badge shows no signs of being plated or ever had a silver wash added to it.
Your opinions welcomed on the authenticity of this badge.
Many Thanks in advance.
Colin

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by tcrown

I can't really see why someone would have changed the badge given its relative small price compared to the value of the beret.
To me it's another indication that Parachute Regiment badges were produced with multiple variants and the story is far from being complete.

I've seen many veterans berets with fake or post war badges, the reason being that they gave away or lost their original badges, sometimes already decades ago.

Value of original berets WITH original badges is to collectors, not necessarily to veterans. For them the symbolic value generally counts more than the originality.

Not necessarily a confirmation of multiple variants, although multiple variants DO exist.

An original beret, if that, does unfortunately not also equate to an original badge.

Rgds, Thomas.

[tcrown]

Thanks Thomas. You have a good point.

[Frank Kelley]

Quite frankly, I think, after reading the thread about this particular badge, the discolouration is due to the rubbish that it has been made from.

Originally Posted by tcrown

Jack, you may be right. My badge came with a Kangol 1945 dated beret.
Do you have any explanation about the discoloration?