Unmarked General Service badge

[Donny B.]

I've seen the odd one of these on eBay so when one came up cheap I bought it to have a closer look. It differs from others I have and have seen in that it does not have the voided sections around the scroll.

It has been pressed out and looks pretty good but the back looks a bit shiny and the lug stems are a bit longer than I believe is usual. I suspect dodgy. Any comments from out there?

Donny B.

[badgecollector]

hi donny
would need a pic of the rear to pass judgement.
bc

[slick_mick]

I'm not aware of any fake/dodgy WW1 or WW2 Rising Sun badges floating around - why would anyone copy a badge when there would have been say 10s of thousands or even over 100,000 made!

Mick

[Chrisr]

Originally Posted by slick_mick

I'm not aware of any fake/dodgy WW1 or WW2 Rising Sun badges floating around - why would anyone copy a badge when there would have been say 10s of thousands or even over 100,000 made!

Mick

Mick,

Many more than that. There were over 400,000 alone for the First World War and more than 700,000 for the Second World War simply going on enlistments in the AIF alone. Then one has to count in the numbers produced from 1903 to 1946 for the Militia forces.

I reckon there were over a million of them produced.

Cheers
Chris

[slick_mick]

Thanks Chris!

Certainly a lot of them made!

Mick

[Donny B.]

Thanks Guys,
I can't imagine that there can be much profit in making fakes of such badges when there are so many reasonably priced originals but there is so much talk about dodgy items that when one comes across something that seems different there is cause for concern, especially for a novice like me. It looks as though I have a variation in my meagre collection now.....though I have not been able, yet, to locate an illustration in any of my books of one that does not have the voided portions between the banner and the main body of the badge.

I have attached pictures of the back of the badge, such as they are, for Badgecollector.

Donny B.

[Jibba Jabba]

I'm not aware of any fake/dodgy WW1 or WW2 Rising Sun badges floating around - why would anyone copy a badge when there would have been say 10s of thousands or even over 100,000 made!

They'll copy anything Mick. These badges I am 100 percent sure have been faked in the UK. They dont have a powdered finish only a clumsy paint like gilt wash. I know a dealer with two right now.

Ive got a few unmarked badges, I dont think that can be used as a guide. The majority I admit that you will find are Stokes marked.