Opinions on helmet badge needed.

[Bruv]

I have this badge, got it with a few other things, but now have a pith helmet. I was wondering if this badge is an original or modern made. Did most pith helmets not have these or have them? Thanks in advance for any help.
Dave

[DennyB]

I have never seen an original but if that is a fake, then someone is putting forth quite a bit of effort to fake them.
If I had to bet, I would go with it being original.

[Bruv]

BTT, just checking for opinions one last time.
Dave

[Stahlhelm]

I agree with Danny. I would consider that original.

[Bob Chatt]

I will just say it is not one I would want in my collection or one that I would sell as an original US involvement piece.

[Striking 9th]

I agree, not one I would consider period U.S. involvement.

[Bruv]

Thank you for the opinions. It came with some other things, so I am not out anything, just hoping. Is it the screw or the badge itself that isn't right?
Dave

[Striking 9th]

Thank you for the opinions. It came with some other things, so I am not out anything, just hoping. Is it the screw or the badge itself that isn't right?
Dave

I don't like the badge or the nut. I have never seen or been offered this VC color configuration from a vet. I have three later style NVA badges from vets all taken out of pockets or rucksacks. They are completely different from all the bad ones you see on e-bay. I also have had one (on captured helmet) and one loose of the Viet Minh badges. These were both the light weight ones not the brass type. The type like the one you posted is so heavily reproduced it would take a lot for me to buy it. It was imo made for the tourist market over there. If you're looking for one to put on a sun helmet the subject example would be incorrect.

[historyguy]

Very informative reply, Scott, thanks for explaining!

IMHO unless there are clear indications that the helmet had a badge, I would just leave it alone... Not all sun helmets had insignia.

[Striking 9th]

Very informative reply, Scott, thanks for explaining!

IMHO unless there are clear indications that the helmet had a badge, I would just leave it alone... Not all sun helmets had insignia.

Thanks man, great point that not all had insignia. You can see where one was on a lot of them. They took them off though as they crossed over into the south imo. I had the one early sun helmet I posted here a few years ago that retained it's original VM insignia. It was captured during the "Hill fights" in 1967. I also still own one captured during Operation Delaware by a member of 1/7 Cav that retains a star. These are the only two in all these years that I have run across with insignia. Ed Hicks just recently posted an almost identical star on a FB group that he got in a vet group. His has the hammer and cycle where as mine is plain. I have tried to put a lot of time in on the helmet badges. I guess it's the Japanese naval helmet collector in me lol!!
Regards, Scott

[Bruv]

Great information. I appreciate the insight and suggestions.
Dave