Lothian & Berwickshire IY

[Alex Rice]

Hi All
Just acquired this badge and just want to confirm that it is original. To me it looks ok but I would like any opinions. The stamping seems quite crisp and there seems to be some residue of soldier's friend on the back. The lugs are not footed and there is a nice golden solder patina.
FYI, I might sell it.
Thanks in advance, cheers,
Alex

[manchesters]

Alex,

It looks like the common fake to me and not a 110 year old badge.

regards

[Luke H]

As Simon says common fake. Here’s my genuine badge for comparison and a picture of one from Bosley’s. The ones I show match the die for the badge in K&K.

There are many differences, ones I look for a the patterns of the corn in the sheaf (very different, esp right side & top) and the internal scroll turns - nice and rounded on real ones but almost points on fakes.

Cheers,

Luke

[Alex Rice]

Hi Guys
Thanks for the replies, the badge was cheap so if it is fake, I didn't lose much, but I am still going to argue just to get more clarity here.
Firstly, you say it doesn't look like a 110 year old badge but I have to argue that, I literally have 100's of badges which would match this era and I can't see any difference. Secondly, you say common fake but do you have a an example to compare it with?
Also, mine is lugged, not slidered, so it would (if original) be an earlier stamping so could be a different die.
Lastly, as mentioned, it does have a build up of soldier's friend on the back which to me, is a good sign.
Anyway, sorry to argue, it just seems your reasons are more that it doesn't look like the Bosley's badge. Do you have an example of a common fake to show as an example?
I am happy to bin it if is fake, I just want to be 100% sure.
Thanks again, cheers,
Alex

[Rockape]

Alex,

The common way to tell the wheat from the chaff is to look at the sheaf knot. Compare the knot from Luke's to yours.

[Alex Rice]

Hi Rockape
Yes, big difference but as I mentioned, it may be an earlier die so I don't feel that is a convincing argument. I have trolled the internet and there are one or two identical ones to mine on dealer sites, and well respected dealers too. I realise that dealers are not infallible and that in itself is not a definitive answer, but I don't think I can rule out that it may be a genuine variation until proven otherwise. I don't think I am just being wishful, having the badge in hand, it looks good to me. Lugs are nice, rear detail is good etc...
Cheers,
Alex

[manchesters]

Alex,

There are currently 3 fakes of this badge on ebay, one of which is being sold as genuine by a member on here!

Check out the same pointy scroll ends as yours.

regards

[Luke H]

Alex,

I fear it’s an increasing problem that collectors will face as the original wave of 1970s fakes now approach 50 years old they have acquired a *genuine* bit of age and patina. They’ve also probably taken a few knocks or polishes along the way that only adds to the look, plus, earlier ones are also likely to be crisper before the dies began to wear out.

As has been pointed out to me pink polish isn’t necessarily soldiers friend. Some brands still made today leave traces that colour.

If your badge is real then by the same argument why can’t dumpy feather Welsh, fat tiger RMF, doughnut jewelled QVC 5DG be real also if they have some age?

I’m afraid it’s a fake from a fake die and has never been real.

Luke

[Alex Rice]

Hi Guys
Thanks again for all the comments. I am not a proponent for fakes in any way and judging by the posts, I am sure now it is fake and I will record it as such.
Cheers,
Alex