unknown badge, help

[Mike Kenny]

My friend only recently found this badge and forwarded it to me - it had been misplaced on his desk for a couple of years - awol!

It looks good in hand.

Scans attached as requested, just a little bit late!

Regards
Mike

[Brian L.]

Having gotten a lot more familiar with the fakes of this badge over the last 3 years, I don't really like this one. The ghost stamping of the cross on the reverse is a typical detail on the fakes.

The hardware is more like the originals. But, the badge itself bothers me.

[Mike Kenny]

Can I suggest carefully comparing the "ghosting" on the example I've shown compared to the ones above. I can see some significant differences (in particular the "crispness" and depth of the upper recessed line and the presence v absence of "ribbing/pebbling" between the upper and central recessed lines). Note also on the example I show that on the obverse, beneath the cracked enamel (real enamel, not paint), the fine "ribbing" is copper coated (as per the example at the top of the thread).

I'm guessing that if there are fakes with "ghosting" then they are based on a genuine pattern.

I'm not in denial, I simply do not believe that the details (plus enamelling, plus wear/patina, plus hardware) on the example I've shown and the questionable examples above are the same.

Regards
Mike

[mchap]

If Mikes badge is a fake, its very convincing.
The uniform darkening over the entire badge (front/back) is an immediate concern for me, particularly on the shield where we should some trace of white paint.

I understand the ghosting bolewts58 points out in post #17... if it is a sure sign of a fake, then this is the proverbial smoking gun. You could be correct about an original pattern, if the badge were cast.

Im curious to see more observations, unfortunately I dont have an original to compare to since I havent seen an original for sale.

[Brian L.]

Let's see what Sergey says.