The Duke of Cornwall's LI - Fake/Restrike/Original?

[Gliners]

I think this is a common badge, but I wonder if someone could help me.

My collection contains two badges from the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. I'm certain that both match Kipling & King badge number KK641, page 58. I have attached photos (front & back) of both badges.

Badge No. 1 - I purchased from ebay a year ago (before I knew better) and Badge No. 2 - I got from a dealer in Berkshire (amongst other badges) for a snip. In fact I was in the shop when a "passer by" offered it to the dealer with amongst other things a Hitler Youth knife (...by the way the dealer paid £150 for the knife).

Badge No. 1 looks OK at first sight except it is a little flat in shape and the frosting around the "Cornwall" is harsh. Also the "LL" is a little worn on or the front and not crisp on the rear. The rear is "dirty" and the slider looks like its been used a few times.

Badge No. 2 looks better to me. It has a curved shape and came in the shop with a tatty red insert badge backing. The back and front are crisp but the rear is clean and the slider (a little thinner) looks like its been "re-bent" a tad to ensure that it fits on the beret.

I feel that badge No. 2 looks like the real deal?

Nevertheless I would really welcome your thoughts. Please help...

Thanks,

David.

[Alan O]

David,

I would agree with your opinion. No 1 looks to be an aged copy. No 2 looks genuine to me.

Alan

[nansouty]

David,I agree with Alan I just hope that you did not pay to much for the first badge. If you have any more D.C.L.I items I would be interested to see them.
When I find the time I will post my collection of D.C.L.I badges etc on the forum.
Stephen (nansouty).

[Jibba Jabba]

I`m not actually 100 percent sure about the first badge. Its too difficult to tell from just photographs. I wouldnt bin it just yet. I really like the way the slider attachment is so neat, no sloppy braising.

You have to remember some badges have had a hard life, sitting in garages and out houses for years. Then some antique dealers finds them and gives the front a little polish. It is common practice for the fakers to age the reverse I know but its wrong to condem all badges in this manner.

If I were to be critical I dont like the colour of ageing on the back of the slider, this is a common on fakes.

Stephen, your not from Redruth by any chance?

[Alan O]

This is mine. One of a WW2 collection and in relatively pristine condition which just goes to show how difficult it can be to spot the genuine ones from the copies.

Alan

[jeanpit-frenchy]

below mine, from my grand father WW1 collection (cap and 4th bat title)

buy at LEW: the collars, and the titles on french EBAY

i'm not sur of the button, is not like the exemple on RIPLEY

[Jibba Jabba]

This badge is well deserving of a thread of its own. There are many types to collect. I have a really sweet example with a thin slider that has a flat end. The slider is also manufacturer stamped.

Anyone got one of those?

[cbuehler]

With regard to the first or left hand badge shown in question, there is nothing overtly wrong with it. I also agree with jibba jabba in that I would not reject it outright. One cant always be sure judging by the picture, but if it has the right "feel" it should be OK. Many ww2 era badges did not have the quality of strike one may ideally wish to see.

CB

[Alan O]

The blacking (esp on the slider) is not natural but has been put there to 'age' the badge.

Alan

[Gliners]

Alan - these are the only DCLI insignia I have, but will let you know when more come my way. Thanks - David.

[rrowsell]

As a new collector I have one of these badges. Looking at the picture from Alan O it is clear that the reverse of the banner ends has no impressed sloping lines , and yet alll of the other images on this thread have this impression on both sides?
Does this mean they are all fakes, or is the one from Alan O not original?

rrowsell