Unusual Auxilliary Cruiser Badge

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

This example has been offered to me from a reliable private source, supposedly from a Destroyer / Auxilliary Cruiser officer who passed away a few months ago.

I'm open minded but I have to admit my initial gut reaction was "I don't like it". Looking through my (poorly organised) files though, I can not find a match to any known genuine or known fake examples. For instance, look at the man's head/hat, the scales on the dragon's neck and the shape of the oakleaves on the wreath. The catch looks OK but the hinge and pin are "strange".

A rare original or an old post war replacement / fake?

Will be interested to read some informed comments/opinions!

Regards
Mike K


Obverse...

[Mike Kenny]

Reverse ...

[George Stimson]

And look at those shields!

It is unlike any I have ever seen.

[Alex K.]

Isn´t there a similar piece in the new Niemann book at page 762 ?

[Andy B.]

Isn´t there a similar piece in the new Niemann book at page 762 ?

It appears to match the top badge, if so, does that make it the Japanese made version? If so, very nice!!
Andy B. collecting mini badge stickpins

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello Mike,

I like the badge. I agree that it is a Japanese-made Auxiliary Cruiser Badge, probably struck from genuine silver.
Best regards! Tom

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Many thanks guys! Alex, well spotted! My copy is still in transit. If anybody could scan it and PM me for my e-mail address, I'd really like to see the Niemann image(s).

Regards
Mike K

PS: looks like there is something similar in Niemann's first catalogue but on that example the globe is without Lat/Long lines. Interesting.

[robert60446]

Hi,

Many thanks guys! Alex, well spotted! My copy is still in transit. If anybody could scan it and PM me for my e-mail address, I'd really like to see the Niemann image(s).

Regards
Mike K

PS: looks like there is something similar in Niemann's first catalogue but on that example the globe is without Lat/Long lines. Interesting.

Hi Mike,
there you go. First is silver version...

[robert60446]

And non silver version...

[Mike Kenny]

Many thanks Robert!

Regards
Mike K

[Tom Yanacek]

There is also a genuine silver version that has the latitude and longitude lines on the globe. The badge doesn't have to be marked 'sterling' to be silver either. I believe that all of the Japanese produced badges of this sort were genuine silver.

Best regards! Tom

[George Stimson]

Well, I learned something today!
Congratulations, Mike!

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Tom, thanks for that info.

George, me too! I'm going to have to tune my gut to include asian style delicacies I think- not that I don't already like Japanese!

The possible deal is still in early stages but if it goes ahead, I'll post an update. Hopefully with a name and ship as well.

Regards
Mike K

[skip]

Wow!
great find Mike. Thats the first of the Japanese manufacture badges I have ever seen on the Forum. Can´t wait to see your pics. if the deal goes through.

Skip

[Scott C.]

Love the hat on the little guy ...