RFC badge authenticity

[phil86]

Wondered if anyone can say if this badge is authentic or not.
Adrian

[grenadierguardsman]

You keep showing your badges upside down, can you not show them the right way up ?
Andy

[dragon166]

I personally think this is a modern repro, due to it's condition, the poor piercing of the crown and the "F" slightly encroaching on the crown. It would be good to see the lug attachment point? I have turned the pictures.
Dave

[phil86]

Thank you for information. I attach pics as requested.

[Frank Kelley]

I would say, just from the photographs, that it is.

Originally Posted by phil86

Wondered if anyone can say if this badge is authentic or not.
Adrian

[dragon166]

Thanks for the additional photos. The lugs look OK but what concerns me is that the badge appears to be in unissued condition, so why is there brass polish residue on the back?
Dave

[phil86]

My father bought this from a 'reputable' dealer's shop in Taunton. It is as it was sold.
Adrian

[phil86]

Incidentally, if the badge is uninsured - what exactly does that mean in terms of its history?
Adrian

[phil86]

That should say unissued....

[Alan O]

Originally Posted by phil86

My father bought this from a 'reputable' dealer's shop in Taunton. It is as it was sold.
Adrian

Sorry but I know Taunton and I don't recognize that description!

[cga00]

Unissued - ie it was never issued from stores to a serviceman to be worn on a hat.
It is a badge that purports to be over 100 years old, so, usually, you would expect it to show some signs of wear. If it was issued to a serviceman and worn, it would have been cleaned with metal polish on a regular basis - this would reduce the crispness of the detail on the front of the badge and probably leave some residue on the rear.
Craig

[phil86]

Firstly, thanks for information. On balance, does this badge satisfy criteria for an authentic unissued badge?
Secondly, the shop is now closed due to death of proprietor. Used to open a couple of days a week and situated near St Mary's Church.

[Alan O]

Jim's dead? He closed the shop last year but had a stall in Taunton Antiques Centre on Mondays but I have not been for at least a year.

[wardog]

I'm not sure if that is Soldiers Friend polish to the reverse or something else. The badge though does seem to have some original finish to the front- perhaps only cleaned once or twice? Who knows? There is something grey at the bottom of the R- lead? The badge though does look original to me. Regards, Paul.

[arrestingu]

Hi
It looks genuine to me .
Regards
Steve