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  #1  
Old 25-04-11, 06:29 AM
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Smile Metal Composition Analysis

I was not able to attach the following article as a Word 97 file as the file size is too big and you just have to align the tables as it corrupted from Word.


Through a work colleague of mine I have been able to begin to address an age old question that may be of general interest to fellow badge collectors. This is whether there is a reliable method that can be used to attempt to help distinguish a reproduction badge from that of an original badge by analysis of the composition of the metals in the badge.

There are a number of common metal finishes and compositions of badges that are noted in the glossary of the Forum (B&CMBF). Those that I have tried to examine are white metal, gilding metal and brass. Prior to 1906 white metal was termed German Silver and after this date the two terms appear interchangeable. Many badges are described as being made of brass which is a commonly used and is a broad term that includes gilding metal. Gilding metal as will be described later has a higher copper content than brass. A sub-set of brass badges as a descriptive term are the economy issue brass (EIB) badges that were manufactured from 1916 to conserve nickel. Gilding metal, brass and white metal are all alloys in that they are a partial or complete solid solution of one or more metal elements in a metallic matrix. Simply said they are a mixture of metals.

The technique I have used is that of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-disruption X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) (SEM-EDS). The electron microscope can image a specimen up to 500,000 times and the SEM images the sample using a scan of high energy beam of electrons. The surface of the sample emits X-rays that can be analysed spectroscopic ally by EDS and as each element has a unique atomic structure this allows the elemental composition to be determined. SEM is usually used for doing research in the life and material sciences and is most commonly found in our universities due to its specialised nature, the cost of $05-1.0 million and the need for a specialist microscopist.

The sample size is only about that of a pin head and it just needs to be clean and relatively flat, it can be easily scrapped from the rear of a badge for analysis. The sample is mounted on a chuck and imaged under the SEM and then when a relatively flat field is observed the sample analysis by EDS is undertaken automatically. The whole process can be performed in under a minute. The metal composition analysis is then displayed as a spectrum and from the corresponding peak heights the percentage composition for each sample can be determined (as illustrated in the accompanying Metal Composition Analysis album). This is indeed a machine that goes “ping”. An advantage of the technique is that this is non-destructive testing of the original sample.

The reproducibility of the technique on multiple samples taken from several different places on the rear of the same badge was determined to be over 95%.

The following table shows the percentages of the metals in the common badge finishes. I am indebted to Julian (aka KLR) for the Gilding Metal 1900 Dress Regulation reference.

Copper % Zinc % Nickel % Sn%

German Silver 64.5% 16.5% 19%
Yellow Brass 65% 35%
Naval Brass 60% 39.25% 0.75%
Brass (BCMBF) 67% 33%
Gilding Metal (B&CMBF) 87% 13%
Gilding Metal (1900 Dress Regulations) 86.7% 13.3%

I have analysed the metal composition of eight badges to date as illustrated in the following set of pictures in my album entitled Metal Composition Analysis. As a representative white metal badge I have chosen the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry (DCLI) badge. I have chosen four brass finish badges from different regiments and I am grateful to Andy Plewa (aka andy2747) for reviewing and verifying these.

Badge 1 – 1st Volunteer Battalion DCLI – marked J.R.Gaunt. London – a later common restrike.
Badge 2 – DCLI – marked Marples & Beasley Birmingham – a later badge.
Badge 3 – DCLI – no makers mark – possibly an original badge.
Badge 4 – DCLI – no makers mark but crimp mark to tapered slider, original WW1 era badge.
Badge 5 – Leinster – original economy issue brass (EIB), 1916.
Badge 6 – Cheshire – original economy issue brass (EIB), 1916 with broken slider.
Badge 7 – Suffolk – brass badge - not an original economy issue brass of 1916.
Badge 8 – 4th/5th TF Batt Leicestershire – brass badge - not an original economy issue brass of 1916.

The metal composition of these eight badges is tabulated below.

Copper % Zinc % Nickel % Other %

Badge 1 1st VB DCLI – Gaunt restrike 62.7% 21.6% 15.7%
Badge 2 DCLI – Marples & Beasley 61.5% 22.5% 16.0%
Badge 3 DCLI 61.3% 22.3% 16.4%
Badge 4 DCLI –crimped slider 62.3% 16.7% 20.0%

Badge 5 Leinsters – EIB 89.2% 10.5% 0.3%
Badge 6 Cheshire –EIB 91.7% 8.0% 0.3%
Badge 7 Suffolk – brass 65.9% 34.0% 0.1%
Badge 8 4th/5th Leicesters – brass 69.9% 27.9% 2.2%

As a preliminary feasibility study the results do illustrate some interesting trends. I introduce a very serious note of caution at this point that this is a very limited set of badges to have examined and to achieve any statistical significant differences between badges a much larger number of different badges would need to be examined. In addition the provenance of the actual badges examined should be able to be put beyond doubt. Additionally, it is not known what the variation in metal composition analysis would be between production runs of badges and how this varied over time and between different manufacturers. Like all research it produces more questions than answers.

In terms of the white metal DCLI badges the badge with the crimp mark to the tapered slider has a markedly different composition to the three other DCLI badges with a greater nickel content and reduced zinc content. The copper content of all four badges is quite similar. The quoted figures for white metal or German Silver are for higher nickel contents and lower zinc contents. I am unsure of the significance of this. The results suggest that original white metal badges can be distinguished from more recently produced badges. The Marples and Beasley, Birmingham badge came with some well known restrikes and I have assumed this to be a modern restrike or a fake. Marples and Beasley were bought out in 1936 and produced badges until 1991 and there makers mark is known to have been widely faked. It is interesting that the appearance of a crimp mark to a tapered slider and general appearance and feel of the badge has been a good guide to its originality.
These results suggest that an original white metal badge has a different composition to later produced and/or restrike badges.

The composition of the brass badges illustrates that the two original economy issue badges have a markedly increased copper content than later badges and correspondingly lower zinc contents. Again the trend is quite significant but again carries the caveats of requiring significantly more validation. Economy issue brass badges are notoriously difficult to be certain upon but again experience from handling known genuine specimens can assist greatly.

There is no doubt that restrike badges are going to be increasingly difficult to identify as time goes on as the surface will develop a patina that will make them look older than they are and perhaps genuine. Experience from collectors in noting common faults in restrike badges will help and handling genuine badges and comparing them with restrikes is an essential step in gaining confidence in identifying genuine and restrike badges. Metal composition analysis may have a place in assisting with the identification of genuine and restrike badges, however, the capital cost of the SEM and of performing the analysis on a large reference set would make it difficult to employ it routinely.
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Old 25-04-11, 06:59 AM
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Rob Miller Rob Miller is offline
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Nice work, I'm sure modern technology is being used to create fakes so it seems only fair to use modern technology to identify them.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that metals mined post nuclear age had a higher degree of radio activeness, would this be detectable enough to be of any use? Rob
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Old 25-04-11, 07:25 AM
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Hi Rob,

Interesting question, theoretically you can use radio-isotopic analysis of metal elements akin to doing C14 analysis in traditional carbon dating analysis. Again you would need a large reference range but it is true that the "naturally" occurring radio-isotopes have increased over time due to man.

Other techniques will have their place no doubt.

cheers Dean.
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Old 25-04-11, 08:19 AM
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I like this approach. The devil is in the "provenance" of badges said to be kosher, of course.

And there is always weighing as a quick cheap and cheerful method of "analysis" Perhaps the badges analysed could be weighed additionallY?
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Old 25-04-11, 08:31 AM
2747andy 2747andy is offline
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Dean,

can you fit one of these SEM-EDS in your pocket and take it to fairs! LOL

Good work, one small error is that economy badges were introduced to save time not nickle!

Andy
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Old 25-04-11, 09:26 AM
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Thanks all,

yes sorry Andy - my error indeed my misconception that economy issue badges were to save nickel, it was indeed to save time!

I will weight the badges when i get back to work, indeed it is an extra measurement that can be taken additionally into consideration.

Cheers Dean.
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Old 25-04-11, 10:13 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2747andy View Post
Dean,

can you fit one of these SEM-EDS in your pocket and take it to fairs! LOL

Good work, one small error is that economy badges were introduced to save time not nickle!

Andy


Yes, XRF hand held analyser here:

http://www.niton.com/?sflang=en


you can also blast the restrike sellers brain with x-rays when you discover an offending article in his stock.


[on a serious note those hand held analysers are about £30k to buy]
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Old 25-04-11, 08:58 PM
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Thanks Mike, same basic principle in these hand held devices, could not attest to the accuracy but worth a try, couldn't imagine a dealer liking you passing the "restrike detector" over a table full of stock!

Cheers Dean.
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Old 03-05-11, 09:36 AM
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Smile Metal composition analysis badge weights

Hi all,

As has been suggested many members may use a simple test of authenticity of a particular badge by comparing the weight of two badges etc.

I have now weighed the four white metal badges as part of this little project.

Badge 1 - 11.8730 grams

Badge 2 - 11.4603 grams

Badge 3 - 11.6168 grams

Badge 4 - 11.1363 grams

Badge 4 is the original badge and so the heavier badges are the reproduction ones. Again still only a small sample set but does provide an interesting trend.

Cheers Dean.
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Old 03-05-11, 09:57 AM
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Rob Miller Rob Miller is offline
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Hi Dean

Looking at the internet it would appear that you can still buy "gilding metal" in sheet form, so the ratios of copper ect could be very similar to an original badge?

But I'm assuming the weight of a restrike badge would be different if sheets of GM are now sold in a metric thickness?? or have I missed the point?Rob.
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Old 03-05-11, 03:22 PM
paj1 paj1 is offline
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interesting post
for years now collectors of third reich badges have used badge weights
and badge measurments as a good way to tell genuine from repo.
it is very hard for the fakers to get these two correct.
but you do have to allow some leeway.
the repo badges tend to be smaller in size and lighter or heavier in weight
so you need a set of electronic scales and digital caliper
that along with visual look and feel will help them judge a badge to be good
or bad
regards julian
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Old 04-05-11, 11:43 AM
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Hi Rob and Julian,

Interesting replies. Indeed I know many a collector that weighs a badge and compares it and makes weight part of their overall assessment.

A recurring theme on the Forum is the experience of handling genuine badges to teach ones self about the features to look for etc. I myself have taken to buying from experienced collectors and dealers that know there badges from their years of experience and will stand behind there stock with a no quibble replacement policy.

I hope that metal composition analysis adds to the technical knowledge we have but in no way substitutes for experience.

Cheers Dean.
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Old 04-05-11, 04:56 PM
grumpy grumpy is offline
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Interesting conclusion: are you suggesting that a badge that looks right, feels right, but weighs substantially differently from one known to be right, should be accepted as kosher?
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Old 04-05-11, 10:39 PM
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Smile

No good point and I re-read my post and sorry I wasn't very clear.

Badge weight and composition should indeed be considered as part of the overall authenticity of a badge. The potential differences in metal sourcing and proportions of metals used within and between batches and by different manufacturers over a time line of production of some badges of say 50 years puts a very large caveat on reliance on metal composition or weight alone.

The assessment is on all the features and they all have to add up as it were.

Thanks for addressing this with your post.

The collective knowledge and experience of those on the Forum is a great guide for us all.

Cheers Dean.
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Old 05-05-19, 12:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grumpy View Post
I like this approach. The devil is in the "provenance" of badges said to be kosher, of course.

And there is always weighing as a quick cheap and cheerful method of "analysis" Perhaps the badges analysed could be weighed additionallY?
Weights vary even on struck badges.

Last edited by akiko; 05-05-19 at 12:19 PM. Reason: Spelling mistake
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