22 Dragoons

[Alex Rice]

Hi All
I just bought this but didn't notice the MM on the slider until I got it home. The voiding is all correct as far as I know but I didn't think the JR GAUNT LONDON mark was used in WWII. Is this a fake or is the MM correct?
Thanks, cheers,
Alex

[High Wood]

Well, it doesn't have the dreaded dot between Gaunt and London but I believe that the length of the maker's mark is important. It should be 12mm if I remember correctly.

[Alan O]

The large font is seen on many post war 1950s' era badges.

[Luke H]

As Alan says it’s a post war ‘50s mark also seen on AA badges. It should not be on a badge for a unit that didn’t survive past 1945. Your badge would seem to show that the previous guidance of ‘voided numerals = good’ may be somewhat simplistic and inaccurate.

This excellent thread is worth a read in relation to the mark and early fakes/restrikes https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=27670 .

This thread https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...1&d=1308999723 shows a Gaunt marked badge with a period mark. The badge was also given the thumbs up by Peter Seaman an authority on WW2 raises cavalry. As you can see the size and shape of the crown’s Fleur de Lis are significantly different to your badge.

I’ve no doubt that the Gaunt version has been re-struck from the original die. This badge, again with the large Gaunt London mark is from the same die as the one Peter approved, albeit a much poorer and unvoided https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-A...kAAOSwSK1bIWdb

Personally I would look for a Firmin example of this badge to be sure.

[Alex Rice]

Thanks for all the replies. It must be a repro, as I suspected once I noticed the MM. It was cheap, so no worries, I just hadn't seen a fake with the correct voiding before.
Cheers,
Alex

[Frank Kelley]

A very common badge, notwithstanding, a pleasing one.

Originally Posted by Luke H

As Alan says it’s a post war ‘50s mark also seen on AA badges. It should not be on a badge for a unit that didn’t survive past 1945. Your badge would seem to show that the previous guidance of ‘voided numerals = good’ may be somewhat simplistic and inaccurate.

This excellent thread is worth a read in relation to the mark and early fakes/restrikes https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=27670 .

This thread https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...1&d=1308999723 shows a Gaunt marked badge with a period mark. The badge was also given the thumbs up by Peter Seaman an authority on WW2 raises cavalry. As you can see the size and shape of the crown’s Fleur de Lis are significantly different to your badge.

I’ve no doubt that the Gaunt version has been re-struck from the original die. This badge, again with the large Gaunt London mark is from the same die as the one Peter approved, albeit a much poorer and unvoided https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-A...kAAOSwSK1bIWdb

Personally I would look for a Firmin example of this badge to be sure.

[Alex Rice]

Yes, my other one is a Firmin example.
Cheers,
Alex