Victorian Border Regiment

[jfenzy1]

Good day everyone,
What are the forum members thoughts and opinions on this Victorian Border Regiment badge ? I have added a photo alongside a regular O/R Border badge for size comparison.
Best regards,
Jim

[manchesters]

Lovely original badge.

regards

[dubaiguy]

Originally Posted by jfenzy1

Good day everyone,
What are the forum members thoughts and opinions on this Victorian Border Regiment badge ? I have added a photo alongside a regular O/R Border badge for size comparison.
Best regards,
Jim

What gave you cause for concern Jim? The size? If so, have a look at this old scan I've saved, as it may give you a better size comparison with the small imperial crowned badge.
Mark

[Alan O]

Now you are just showing off with the Brodrick badge!

[dubaiguy]

mia culpa!

[Volunteer Soldier]

Victorian Border Regiment. A top notch, genuine badge.

[jfenzy1]

Thanks to everyone for the comments. What gave me concern was that it looks like a shiny new badge, not something that is 120+ years of age. It looks just too good to be true, but now that its been confirmed as good, I am over the moon with it.
Thank you all.
kind regards,
Jim.

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by jfenzy1

Thanks to everyone for the comments. What gave me concern was that it looks like a shiny new badge, not something that is 120+ years of age. It looks just too good to be true, but now that its been confirmed as good, I am over the moon with it.
Thank you all.
kind regards,
Jim.

The White Metal (officially German Silver) used in the Victorian and Edwardian times was clearly good quality stuff and is actually very tarnish resistant.

It very often has a brilliance to it and in many cases even 120+ years can look almost new, which does seem counterintuitive as to what to look for in an old badge. That’s not to be confused with brand spanking shiny new repro, there is a very clear difference once you get your eye in.

Ironically especially with V.B. and the like a very grey coloured or heavily tarnished WM can often be a warning sign that all is not quite right.

Obviously all greatly depends on storage conditions too as there are exceptions (as always)… and I thought this hobby would simple when I got into it.

[jfenzy1]

I agree, its all about getting your eye in Luke. Unfortunately the majority of dealers and auctioneers that I have bought from have had my eyes out already and I am getting so paranoid about it that I am even starting to question the clearly good badges now. But thanks to the forum I am starting to cut back on the losses. So many thanks guys.

[dubaiguy]

Further to Luke's post, also remember that some of the more modern abrasive polishing compounds weren't around in Victorian times and thus badges are mostly found with little wear/rubbing. Brasso for example wasn't manufactured in the UK until the early 20's. The Soldiers Friend Pearl Plate (polishing) Paste does pre-date Brasso, but I'm not sure when it became available.

Ignoring the old schoolboy ditty:

'Shine your buttons with Brasso
It's only 3 ha'pence a tin
You can buy or nick it from Woolworth's
Cos there ain't very much of it in'

my grandfather swore by HP Sauce for shining his WWI medals and badge (East Yorks), consequently they were totally abraded and void of relief. Be warned if you like it on your chips.

Mark