expertly refinished Tombak badge

[Mike Kenny]

That particular dealer excessively cleans everything.

Yes, this "dealer" is notorious for cleaning badges - has been for years.

Why, because "mint" is worth more.

Worse, I've seen some badges upgraded during the process - eg a Black 1st Pattern 1939 which I returned to him and later ended up back on his site totally stripped and being sold as a Silver grade . And do I have an axe to grind on this issue - hell yes - because he never honoured the refund credit and I ended up being out pocket 140 Euro

I will continue to repeat that first hand factual story wherever I can as a warning to others about this unscrupulous "dealer". I consider it getting value for my stolen money.

Regards
Mike

[Norm F]

Yes, this "dealer" is notorious for cleaning badges - has been for years.

Why, because "mint" is worth more.

But this badge could never be considered mint -- it's slightly vaulted, has a bent catch and the sailor's name scratched into the reverse. The obverse waves were literally defaced by the cleaning process and the badge significantly devalued in the process. It was described on the site as a "worn piece". In this particular case, that's no longer deceipt, it's just incompetence.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Mike Kenny]

OK, replace "mint" with "bright and shiny" in this case. Same effect by attempting to increase value imo.

Making something look better than it was (or in this case attempting to and failing) without stating the fact imo IS deceit.

I agree, in this case though, it's also incompetent I'll add that to my list of descriptors for this "dealer".

Personally, I value an "honest" badge much more highly than a mint/shiny badge these days. I feel sorry for whoever buys this because in a year or so's time it will look the way it did a couple of years ago anyway WITH the additional damage done by the cleaning process.

Regards
Mike

PS: There was a "43" KVK1 discussed in the General Awards section recently which was purchased about a year ago as "mint" (despite scratches and wear being apparent) but had been cleaned and has aged very rapidly. No idea of the source for that one.