50-52 Commando Badge

[Luke H]

Can I have people thoughts on this 50-52 Commando badge please?

[Luc]

The shape, the lugs...
It is quite unlike examples that I believe to be genuine, sorry.

[Luke H]

No need to be sorry, I value all opinions on it.

As you say this ‘type’ is certainly unusual and not one I recall seeing before.

The brass wire loops are also not the sort typically found on repros and very similar to those on an example a ex-forum member and SF dealer currently has for sale on eBay. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224537314...cbd8%7Ciid%3A1

Neither characteristic itself is necessarily a good thing but nonetheless I felt the badge worthy asking and discussion.

The letters RP on the reverse are also highly unusual.

I would be intrigued to hear others thoughts and opinions too please.

[Mike B]

Luke
While this is not a 'model' example of ME Cdo badge I would not rush to judgement. I like the casting marks to reverse. The lugs are not of the 'model' type (flat and rolled over), but there are variants in this badge. The letter stamping to reverse is very unusual - I am unsure whether an interesting feature, or one to be cautious of ... Jury out for me, but some good things going for it; and some head-scratchers regarding form and shaping (the hole at the top of the handle, and upper / top central portion of blade where joins 'handle' (almost 'spine' like)).
Mike

[Luke H]

Thanks Mike. Your thoughts and mine are identical I think, it has a few points which make me not want to damn it just yet albeit I’m the worlds biggest sceptic when it comes to ‘unusual’ or new variations, especially with SF associated items.

Hopefully someone on here has seen one of these before and knows for sure either way.

[popskipa]

[QUOTE=Luke H;568994]
The brass wire loops are also not the sort typically found on repros and very similar to those on an example a ex-forum member and SF dealer currently has for sale on eBay. [URL="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224537314000?[/QUOTE]

Please be careful if considering buying from this seller, everything is "100% Original" even if it obviously is not!
For example see https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224273237...AAAOSwoJBf0lfz

[Luke H]

Thanks Keith. Can I ask what you think of the badge in post #1 please?

[popskipa]

Originally Posted by Luke H

Thanks Keith. Can I ask what you think of the badge in post #1 please?

Luke

Not a badge I would want to own.

I have three different examples of the 50/52 Commando badge. In brass, blackened brass, and silver. See attached.

Keith

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by popskipa

Luke

Not a badge I would want to own.

I have three different examples of the 50/52 Commando badge. In brass, blackened brass, and silver. See attached.

Keith

The silver badge is not ME Cdo Keith - it was adapted for Mission 204. My example on bush hat has blades to reverse - I assume yours does too? I do have a silvered example on lugs - possibly ex ME Cdo posted to Mission 204 on demise of Layforce (ie from D Bn Layforce).

[popskipa]

Originally Posted by Mike B

The silver badge is not ME Cdo Keith - it was adapted for Mission 204. My example on bush hat has blades to reverse - I assume yours does too? I do have a silvered example on lugs - possibly ex ME Cdo posted to Mission 204 on demise of Layforce (ie from D Bn Layforce).

Sorry, of course the silver isn't 50/52 Commando but 204 Mission. Only shown to illustrate examples of badges designed from the Middle East Commando fighting knife.

[Luke H]

Thanks Keith and everyone.

So summarising all the comments the bottom line seems to be that it is not a ‘known fake’ as such but nonetheless is spurious since it does not conform to the known genuine examples, which is fair enough especially with SF items.