Naval Wound Badge

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

I picked this one up recently but I have some questions with it. It's a brass/tombac example, measuring ~46.5 x 41.3 mm and weighing 7.7 g. It is not vaulted like my two iron examples. The hinge and main pin look spot on for an Imperial Wound Badge and both look genuinely worn.

Regarding the catch - it is very small, although the pin fits snugly into it. Has anybody seen (or own) a similar catch on an Imperial Wound Badge (Naval or otherwise)?

The finish is a bit strange - it has a firegilt effect BUT it's possible it has been refinished with a metallic gold (modelling) paint.

On the obverse (highlighted by the red arrows), you should be able to make out a buildup of "gunk" in some of the chains. The gunk is underneath the finish and appears to me metallic and hard, rather than a buildup/excess of paint (which should be soft?). This is my main concern with the badge. Obverse detail is otherwise fairly good - so is the reverse - and I think the badge is die-struck (not cast imo).

So, what do you think. Genuine, refinished or simply a repro?

All responses appreciated.

Regards
Mike K

PS: I have Hamelman's Wound Badge Book and the measurement's of this badge are at least ball-park with his Type-I & -II badges.

[Mike Kenny]

Reverse...

[Mike Kenny]

Hinge/Pin/Catch...

[JensF.]

I like the hinge but not the catch. I like the badge from the rear but not the front. Looks really like painted. However I don't really like it. The Golden Naval Woundbadge is too rare and faked too often to like an example less than 90 %, if you know what I mean.

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Jens, thanks for your response. I do know what you mean. For now, it remains a question mark and a decent filler until something I am happier with comes along.

Regards
Mike K

[KM-NZ]

could be a so called 57 issue.

A WWI GOLD issue is nearly impossible to find.


Mark

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Mark,

You are pretty much correct on both counts.

I never came back to this thread but I did figure out what it is;

It's a gold "57er" (post-45) by S&L that has had the hinge and pin replaced by a genuine WW1/early 20s period hinge and pin and then repainted (some acetone at the base of the hinge confirmed lead solder). The tiny catch and the lumps of excess metal in the chains are the key indicators to it being post-45 and specifically post-45 S&L.

Regards
Mike