Is this any good?

[Ron P]

this technician badge is larger and is not sterling. Any good? All opinions welcome. Ron

[Ron P]

reverse

[atlantis]

Is this good

In my opinion NO.

Brad

[Ron P]

Okay, but why? Regards, Ron

[atlantis]

reason

Looks like a cast copy to me. Will see what others say but I personally would not want to add this to my small collection.

Brad

It is a good one. The cast examples from WWII are quite often seen in vet groups. UGLY with a capital UG but wartime 100%.

[Ron P]

Brad, the one thing that gives me hope is the pattern on the back of badge is reminiscent of the "snowflake" pattern on some prewar insignia some of which was not sterling silver. Not the same pattern I realize but still I would not expect any pattern in a repro. Ron

[pfrost]

I think its good.

Why try to fake one of these buggers? In general, unless the little bars are for some super rare qualification (eg Expert Slingshot), you cant give these things away.

I see these at flea markets all the time going for 1-2 bucks all the way to 20$. The cast ones are frequently mixed in with stamped and hallmarked examples in insignia groupings that I see from time to time.

P. Frost

[Ron P]

Thanks for the responses guys. Ron

[atlantis]

Happy to learn

I have learned something new. I had assumed because it was cast that it was a copy. I am obviously wrong since I trust Patrick and Andrew's opinion.

Always glad to learn something new.

Brad

[Ron P]

I learn something new on this website every day. Ron

[jeremiahcable]

Cast insignia were actually pretty common later in the war years. There are several known examples of cast weapons qualification badges and USMC insignia. I do agree, ugly as sin but still deserving of a place in a collection.

Jeremiah

[Bill D.]

Some of the cast examples were theater made, according to a few veterans from whom I obtained examples, not unlike the cast wings that were often created in the POW camps.

[atlantis]

Fascinating

I am really surprised but pleased to learn. Another reason to not trust an Imperial Russian Collector (me) with WWII AAC items!

Will teach me to make snap judgements out of my area of expertise.

With appropriate humility,

Brad

[jeremiahcable]

Here's two more shots to illustrate this type of insignia. In the USMC collecting field these are often called "Mexican" or "Tiajuana" pieces. Both are cast and ugly as sin but 100% wartime.

Jeremiah