LRDG badge: your opinion, please!

[loupie1961]

Not much into LRDG badges, since I've alway - wisely - decided to keep away from that minefield... then decided to buy this one, but not really sure... please let me know your advise and don't be too tough!

[GregN]

Hi loupie, the back is the key and the photo you supplied is so bad no one will be able to help you out.

Greg

[loupie1961]

Greg, you're right... matter is that the badge has been... scanned! since my girlfriend left (temporarily, I hope!) with the digital camera... once I'll be again in the possession of both, I'll be able to post far better pics!

[loupie1961]

Here a couple of pics of the back of the LRDG, quite crappy photos, my apologies!

[loupie1961]

opinions, anybody?

[dragonz18]

Loupie,
if you look at the genuine examples,shown in the other LRDG posting in this section,you will see the differences. Definition of legs ,foot claws & tail , gap between pincers & all voided lettering, etc. I would not consider your's to be a correct item ? But is a reasonable copy, all the same.
My opinion only here.
Cheers !
Steve

[fougasse1940]

See also:
http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=17032&st=20
For info and images on LRDG badges.

[saumua]

Definately a copy.

Shaun

[wright241]

Originally Posted by loupie1961

Here a couple of pics of the back of the LRDG, quite crappy photos, my apologies!

Loupie1961,
I have a copy/fake and a genuine one. I can post some pictures of the fronts and backs tomorrow morning.

Rgds, David

[Saddle tree maker]

Does anyone know how many member's of the Long Range Desert Group there actually were ?
How many men could possibly have wore this badge ?
There seems to be an awful lot of these badges about, including supposed originals, aswell as the out and out fakes.
STM.

[tynesideirish]

LRDG Establishment Authorized on 22 Nov 1940. PRO

I'll not bother with the minute job details. HQ and 2 Squadrons each of 3 Fighting Patrols.

Totals:
Officers 21
WO. 2
S/Sgts & Sgt's 14
Rank & File 234
Total 271

LRDG War establishment 1942
Officers 23
SNCO 15
R&F 240
Total 278

No accounting for length of service within LRDG by personnel, but I don't think losses or posting especially by the other ranks was particularly high.

Educated guess Total persons serving LRDG throughout the life of unit 415. Each with 2 badges.

[wright241]

I also bought a fake years ago (from a stall in the old Smithfield market, Belfast) - the one with the flat back and "bad" scorpion legs etc.
Then I managed to track a good'un down (unless someone is going to tell me that this isn't....). Pics of the front and back and some details included.
The fake that I have has the rim on both edges - the original only has the one on the inside. The position and connection of the legs
has already been mentioned. The scorpions underside has been dished out into the body (pics 3 & 5) - the fake is absolutely flat at the back.
Hope this helps.

Rgds, David

[Saddle tree maker]

Thank's Tyneside,
So with losses, damages, over polishing, and the one's held in museums and collections worldwide, it is the type of rare badge IMO you would expect to see, in very good condition (Which they all seem to be), about once or twice a decade, bloody hell !
STM.

[Unknownsoldier]

I've got two 'genuine ones', one is bronze with blades, and the other is silver guilt, that has possibly been converted to a sweetheart at some point. The dishing to the back is usually a good sign IMHO.

Tom

[wright241]

Originally Posted by Unknownsoldier

I've got two 'genuine ones', one is bronze with blades, and the other is silver guilt, that has possibly been converted to a sweetheart at some point. The dishing to the back is usually a good sign IMHO.

Tom

You are a star. Thanks for the info.
I was getting close to packing it all off to Bosleys and waiting for the news. I think that the people who are doing this should be paid a "visit" - in my personal view.
I am assuming that the silver gilt one you have is not the one that sold
for an astronomical sum recently... (I recall that that one was HM silver?) You mention the possibility of a sweetheart brooch - sounds very nice.
Maybe thats what we should do with the fakes....

Good hunting.

Rgds, David