RND cap badges

[Phil2M]

it doesnt look nearly 100 years old to me.

phil

[Neil Pearce]

Hi Simon - not all do look 100 years old...... have a look at some of these:

http://freespace.virgin.net/jack.clegg/RND.htm

Here's a back and front of what I believe is a good 'un. You've got me wondering now The top lug is crooked - first time I'd noticed. Bought it quite a while ago from Bosleys

There are some rough ones around, but I think on balance I'd buy yours if the price was right. Difficult to be 100% but the sail furls look right, mottled finish behind "Nelson", figurehead etc. The caveat being I am only going on comparison - I have some others if you need to have a look, but am very sure they are wrong 'uns - not even sure where they are as they were consigned long ago!

Cheers, Neil

[LONGSHANKS]

Yeah, thats whats putting me off Phil. Look's like that bright brass of re-strikes. If it is a re-strike, then a lot of work with the plate.

Simon

[LONGSHANKS]

I might take a chance on it. Have to see. I wonder if it's bright because someone used jewelry cleaner on it as I think as it's being sold by someone that specializes in jewelry. May have been in someone's box as a job lot.

Simon.

[LONGSHANKS]

Neil, I thinks it's a repro, as your's has way finer detail than this one. The feathers, the text etc are much sharper on yours. And I can see way more detail in yours as regards the figure.

Simon.

[whizzbang]

The thing with 100 year old badges is that they don't all look the same. Some do look the age, many don't. Pins get added, lugs get replaced... barring examining it in hand, I don't think there is anything wrong with this badge!

[whizzbang]

Hi Simon,

I have several RND caps that are rather bright looking brass, all purchased from Bosley's and with the correct Gaunt plates. My two Nelson's are not like that, but if others were made that way why not the Nelson. If the Gaunt plate on the one you posted is a fake, we might as well all give up! all the faked Gaunt plates I have seen have a very neat, crisp font. And if fakers are also cutting lugs off and applying pins... well, say no more!!

Cheers, Ian.

[Neil Pearce]

Simon Good luck!!

Ian, having checked, I agree. 5 of my set are Bosleys, and the same story. All bar one have a Gaunt plaque.......
Regards

[Paddy]

Simon

Tell me where it is and I'll happily give £20 for it. I think it is a good un. I have attached a front picture of the one that I have which I believe to be good and I have attached a picture of the the most common fake and the areas I usually look at. On the fakes the pennant at the top is usually unvoided (on the good ones it is separate and more pointed). The sails on the fakes have got additional vertical lines which are not on the good ones and if you look at the left hand side of the ship's hull there is a gap between the bottom of the yard arm and where the planks start and then there are 9 planks, on the fakes there are 8 planks.

Paddy

[whizzbang]

Upside down Gaunt plates - pretty common! Be good to hear what you think when it arrives!

[Neil Pearce]

Here's an upside down Howe! Does this add authenticity in wonder?
Regards

[LONGSHANKS]

Well, it arrived today. Sorry for the pic quality. I'll take better over the weekend. Hopefully buy of the month at 20 pound.

Thumbs up?

Simon.

[Neil Pearce]

For me, it ticks the boxes, except the colour. I believe this was mentioned earlier? Maybe treated somehow, or the flash?
Regards
Neil

[Paddy]

Simon

The badge still looks good to me. As it has a brooch fastening, possibly for wear as a "sweetheart", could it have been gilded?

Paddy

[LONGSHANKS]

Hi Neil, yeah. Definitely cleaned and varnished. I might strip it, and have repaired. Maybe some of the age will come back a bit.

Simon.