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#1
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True or False?
True or False?
I spotted this recent listing on trade me and thought it worthy of discussion. https://www.trademe.co.nz/antiques-c...0c503dce5dfd97 The seller is well known for his embellishment of the items he sells which IMO can be very misleading, however, he does offer an “unconditionally guaranteed 100% GENUINE for life, that guarantee INCLUDES their cost of postage BOTH ways” if an item is proven to be a fake. The seller also mentions that viewers of the auction should “BEWARE the many REPRODUCTION badges that are now flooding the WWW (Especially in The UK) where the "Maori Face" NZ Maori Pioneer cap badge has been widely re-struck (IE Faked) More recently the "Oval" design badges have also now attracted the attention of fakers in central Europe” So, I guess my questions are, does this badge stand up to be a “RARE Genuine Sand-Cast WW1 era” that the seller claims it to be? or could it be an outright fake intended to deceive collectors of their hard earned cash? However, before forum members voice their opinions, it is first worth considering that ALL CAST BADGES (Not including die cast) of the NZ Pioneer Battalion (February 1916 to September 1917), and the NZ (Maori) Pioneer Battalion (September 1917 to April 1919), ARE ALL COPIES of original issue badges. Secondly, it is worth considering that the NZ Pioneer Battalion (February 1916 to September 1917) badge was issued in the UK after the Battalion had departed the Middle east, making it unlikely, but not impossible, that their badges were sand cast in the Middle East. Thirdly, does the badge itself look typical of those that were produced in the Middle East? Taking into account the patina that is commonly found on 100 year old NZ “Genuine Sand-Cast” badges, and are the lugs correct as is commonly found on NZ “Genuine Sand-Cast” badges? |
#2
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Hello Brent,
I've not seen anything like this before, the badge in auction could well be an "in theatre" made badge. I wouldn't pay the price advertised though. Regards, John |
#3
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don'tv see why there would be a cast badge made in middle east when the unit was UK/France...maybe on the way home someone got one made
seems unlikely not for me |
#4
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The quality seems to high to be genuine, it looks too new and the green crescent on the obverse doesn't look like verdigris at all.
Rgds, Thomas Last edited by fougasse1940; 10-12-18 at 12:38 AM. Reason: spelling |
#5
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The Rarotongan company in the Middle East, so there is a sight chance badges could have been locally made for them?
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#6
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Gentlemen thank you for your replies.
Based purely on genuine examples of WW1 NZ sandcast badges that I have handled, and all of which had some sort of an aged patina, I am leaning towards this badge being a copy. As mentioned, it is unlikely this badge would have been worn in the Middle East, however it is possible that members of the Otago Mounted Rifles who had served with the NZ Pioneer Battalion may have had copies made. Having done a little research on the Rarotongan company in the Middle East I have as yet found no evidence of them wearing any badges except for the NZNC oval badges. The following link shows several photos of Rarotongans, the following photos are of what I believe to be a genuine sandcast NZNC badge are copied from post #52 of that thread. https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=22199 |
#7
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Last edited by atillathenunns; 11-12-18 at 09:17 AM. |
#8
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In my opinion the pioneer badge is original.
I don’t think a comparison of corrosion on a badge is a suitable method for determining fake or original. Any corrosion is more to do with the conditions that badge has been stored since manufacture - climate, moisture, temperature, against leather, etc. Enjoy the hobby, Keith
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I collect badges and medals of London Transport employees and its predecessor and successor companies, bus, tram, trolleybus, underground railway. |
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