Cased BSW ROAG unmarked-???

[Brian S]

I have a similar take to this one after looking at my cased example which is heavily frosted on the wreath.

Frosting is by definition a chemical process that literally eats away at the silver in the material leaving a frosted look.

Now I am thinking this one above simply was heavily frosted and when that frosting wore away by whatever happenstance, the layer you see beneath the frosting appears pitted after removing the frosting. I'd love to remove the frosting on mine to prove my idea but I'll pass to someone else more willing.

In fact, on the high points of the wreath where it has been polished, you can see little pits.

I don't need this one but it would be one for my collection.

[Brian S]

Look carefully through the frosting you can see what I can only describe as what would be "holes" if the frosting were removed.

[Brian S]

Here's the entire obverse so you can see the heavy frosting on the wreath.

And, no, this badge did not come from Malta. Entirely original.

[Sebastien T]

Hi guys,

Another point that I would throw out here is the fact that we don't really see any convincing BSW fakes. Unlike Juncker and Assmann, BSW badges don't seem to be faked to a large extent and when we see a fake BSW badge, its usually very poorly done with many, many differences to originals. Especially when it comes to BSW ROAGs, they seem to have avoided being faked to large extent most likely due to their rarity. So when I see a badge like this that is so perfect in so many ways, I just have a hard time believing its a fake when all other past attempts have been so far off the mark.

Great discussion so far guys.

Tom

Agreed Tom, BSW are not fake that much and usually easy to spot.

I took mine out and it have like john some little holes on the wreath as well. Never took attention on that but i guess its a sign of originality. Never tought it could be so much defect on a single badge. My hinge is the same measurement that andrei's one. Doubt is gone, thanks guys.

Nice learning thread

Seb

[Brian S]

My first thought was also fake...

[andrei1774]

Great discussion.
I know how skeptical Brian can be and even he is on positive side. Thanks you all guys to try to solve this badge. As I stated before , this is not about "skip this one and buy textbook one". I do not want to toss scarce, good and reasonable priced badge into fake pile, till we all say so.
We all learn from this thread that BSW ROAG can be unmarked and this little holes on the wreath can be a sign of originality.
Thanks again to everyone.

Another pic with new camera.

[Thomas Durante]

You shoulda led with this picture Andrei Looks unquestionably perfect this time

I see it exactly like you, its not really about buying this badge versus another but rather trying to determine if its original or well made fake. Thats the fun of the hobby, think how boring it would be if there were no fakes.

Great discussion thread gents.

Tom

[Brian S]

Great discussion.
I know how skeptical Brian can be and even he is on positive side.

Yeah that other Brian such a wanker.

New pics make it look really great!

[Sebastien T]

That pictures show it all Andrei. Make all the difference

Seb

[JJS]

OK, I'm on board now too. The updated photo convinces me that Andrei's badge is an original ROAG.
An interesting and instructive thread to say the least. Several notable lessons for us (at least for me):
1) frosting can cause subtle pitting, especially on BSW wreaths.
2) a good general rule of thumb is: when the badge appears generally convincing, and its measurements are right, and the hardware looks right, it is innocent until proven guilty.
3) several of us are more than a little paranoid about high-end fakes
4) sometimes getting to the correct answer via a roundabout path can be instructive to this hobby.
Cool.

[andrei1774]

OK, I'm on board now too. The updated photo convinces me that Andrei's badge is an original ROAG.
An interesting and instructive thread to say the least. Several notable lessons for us (at least for me):
1) frosting can cause subtle pitting, especially on BSW wreaths.
2) a good general rule of thumb is: when the badge appears generally convincing, and its measurements are right, and the hardware looks right, it is innocent until proven guilty.
3) several of us are more than a little paranoid about high-end fakes
4) sometimes getting to the correct answer via a roundabout path can be instructive to this hobby.
Cool.

And one from me.
5. Quality of pictures means a lot in our hobby.

[AFF96]

Terrific/fun thread!