The Life Guard E V11???

[Voltigeur]

Hello all, here's one for the specialists in early 20th Century badges. I was at a friend's place this afternoon and I happened to see and have in my hand a round badge with KC that said The Life Guard with the cypher EV11 and with a slider.It was non cut-out cypher (as shown by S.R.S.#30001-F) and in brass but no maker mark. Here's my question, is it real, questionable or restrike or not worth more research?
Sorry,did not have a camera.

Jo

[Chrisr]

I haven't got Gaynor with me at the moment but I recall him saying that the Life Guards and the Royal Horse Guards only took up cap badges in 1913 at the direction of George V.

Secondly, during Edward VII's reign they were still two regiments: the 1st Life Guards and the 2nd Life Guards and didn't amalgamate until 1922 when they became the The Life Guards (1st and 2nd ) and later still The Life Guards.

My guess is that it is a fantasy badge.

Chris

[Voltigeur]

Hi Chris, thank you. I just thought that I found a one-of-a-kind gem. But I still have one question which is why would somebody make something that never existed in the first place? Money and greed?
Thanks and regards
Jo

[Mike]

there was a EVIIIR version produced of "The Life Guards" type, the King that never was.

[Voltigeur]

MIke, I just noticed something that made me rethink about The Life Guards' badge. I saw King Edward V111 cypher and that's the one. So does it make sense now about the cap badge that I saw?
Jo

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Voltigeur

MIke, I just noticed something that made me rethink about The Life Guards' badge. I saw King Edward V111 cypher and that's the one. So does it make sense now about the cap badge that I saw?
Jo

yes, likely to be the type you saw. I assume originals only produced for a few months in 1936. I'm fairly sure they should all be voided as normal though? (K&K 1874)

just had a quick look through some old catalogues and lists to see the approximate premium on EVIIIR badges but cannot find anything. I know the ASC and Engineers were produced as well.

[Alan O]

These have been widely faked - I am afraid that the solid versions are simply restrikes that the faker has not bothered to void it.

Alan

[Voltigeur]

Well Mike and Allan thanks a million for your help and patience, I really appreciate and I guess we can't win them all, all the time.
Best regards
Jo

[2747andy]

Jo,
Just found this thread whilst looking for something else. Just to confirm what Mike and Alan have already posted, that the non voided Edward viii is fake. However there were only a handful, probably a number in single figures made of original "Edviii" voided badges. These would have been private purchase items, bought by officers newly gazetted/commissioned into the Life Guards during the short period before abdication. ORs did not wear Edviii cipher end badges. So they're pretty scarce

Andy

[Frank Kelley]

Interesting thread, to be quite honest, these days, sadly, all Life Guard badges do seem actually quite scarce, most encountered appear not to be original, in particular, all the GVR dross on ebay.