Guidance for a Novice Please: E-bay Use or Ignore?

[Gary B]

Oh my God - really?
Thanks for the heads up, there's one on now for £40 and I was tempted, but having read all your advice, I'm going to give it a swerve!!
Thanks to you all, you've been brilliant!!

[Luke H]

Yes, a short lived and scarce badge. Whilst formed in 1918 the badge was not sealed until 1919 and became obsolete 13/02/20.

If referring to the one being sold by angola76 currently at £44, it is a fake.

There are several useful threads on the GMGR badge on the forum.

Edit: sorry I have just seen the comments in posts #25 and #28 seem to refer to GMGB (Guards Machine Gun Battalion), a very different beast.

GMGB sealed on 28/03/17, SP 3220/1917 (pic 1) KK923
GMGR sealed on 06/02/19, SP 3220/1919 (pic 2) KK922

[lifeochil]

angola76 is known for selling some fakes sprinkled with some genuine items.

[Gary B]

Luke, lifochil - thanks so much for your guidance guys - and yes, I was tempted by the angola 76 badge but now I'm going nowhere near it!

With regards to e-bay, I reckon I'm gradually getting to know those traders who can be trusted to put-up good items for sale - but I've got to admit, I've been caught out a number of times too many; but hey-ho, that just means that I've got to replace some duffers with some good 'uns, so in a way, it's re-invigorated me for getting to fares and buying the old fashioned way - face to face !! Thanks again for the advice - really really appreciate it!

[Gary B]

Sorry to KEEP harping on about e-bay, but I've just seen a dealer who says "THIS IS AN ORIGINAL WW1 BI-METAL CAP BADGE TO THE 5th ROYAL IRISH LANCERS WORN 1902-1922 TYPE MADE AND WORN WW1 WITH A WHITE METAL No 5 AND ALL BRASS PENNONS THIS IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE.....ALL MY BADGES ARE GUARANTEED GENUINE AND ORIGINAL TO THE PERIOD OF WEAR" and he/she is charging £110 for a badge with a flat, solid back - the type that "Alan O" referred to specifically as an out-and-out fake. If Alan is right in his assessment (which I'm sure he is) how can people be allowed to trade in such a dishonest and misleading manner? Surely this is illegal - it's not as if the seller even offered a "make your own mind up" backside-covering clause. Such trading should be stopped and the miscreant traders taken to task.

[Luke H]

The badge in question is of a type member RSM and I have been studying. It is not one I would dismiss. Whilst there are many solid die cast back 5L fakes the example you mention is not from that die.

However £110 is a ridiculous price.

The ‘list’ price for a bi-metal 5L by even Bosley’s themselves is c.£65 when they appear on their BuyWyze or Regimentalbadges.com websites.

My advice would not be to pay more than £75, at most.

[Gary B]

Once again Luke, thanks again for the steer, really very much appreciated!
So just to get it right in my (thick) head - not ALL solid back 5th Lancers badges are questionable?

[Luke H]

There may be one very rare exception to the rule albeit the lance shafts (tips and bases) plus the pennons to an extent are not wholly flat solid on the reverse.

I shan’t say more as it’s RSM’s discovery and I don’t want to steal his thunder.

[Gary B]

Ha ! I get that totally Luke !! Thanks again to the heads-up mate, much appreciated!

[wardog]

Doubtful seller but I wondered about this GMGR when it was for sale. I noticed the fault over Regiment that continues over the right side as viewed and the right gun. Regards, Paul. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364166544...Bk9SR4yHnOvaYQ

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by wardog

Doubtful seller but I wondered about this GMGR when it was for sale. I noticed the fault over Regiment that continues over the right side as viewed and the right gun. Regards, Paul. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364166544...Bk9SR4yHnOvaYQ

A cast copy Paul.

You can see the casting flaws evidently over the edges and top of the slider scar.

[Gary B]

Guys - it's at 44 quid now.... and still has time to get over £50. Thanks so much for giving me the heads-up on this one!

[Phil2M]

Originally Posted by Luke H

A cast copy Paul.

You can see the casting flaws evidently over the edges and top of the slider scar.

I didn't like the scar left by the slider being removed either. No sign of braze, no sign of any sharp damage, just a nicely rounded and uniform mark. If that makes sense. I hadn't thought it may be a lost wax casting.

[Alex Rice]

Originally Posted by Gary B

Seriously, I can't tell you how much I appreciate that advice - thanks so much for your up-front honesty.
Over the last few months I've been considering whether or not to knock badge collecting on the head because of the wasted £'s on forgeries and wrong-'uns, but with help and guidance from people like you, I think it's worth cracking-on.
Thanks again !!

Don't give up collecting!! It is very rewarding but because of the demand, fraudsters have taken more and more advantage with their lies and cheating. I still get caught so try to limit what I buy to exactly what I know is good. Using the forum is the best way to stay ahead.
Cheers,
Alex

[Gary B]

Alex, thanks so much for those wise words!

I don't think I'll ever stop collecting B&C cap badges - the "bug" has well and truly taken hold. It's frustrating though..... I've sold genuine WW1 & WW2 rarities (bayonets, field-kit, side-arms, scarce ephemera etc.) to help fund my new passion - only to discover that I've been a goon and bought forgeries - albeit, very convincing and well-aged forgeries!

That said, having now discovered the Forum (my new knowledge-crutch) I shall hobble on, better armed and with renewed vigour! Gotta say though, the blatant sh*t-housery of some of the e-bay traders leaves me speechless - I came across a "genuine" WW1 Parachute Regiment badge on sale the other day.... Wowzer....

Thanks again Alex - you've wound me up for more bartering now mate !!