San Marco swimmers badge !

[Semovente]

Gents seen two of these up for sale recently described as pre RSI San Marco swimmers badge..but rejected for use as they were to thin & bent easy for every day wear !!...whats the verdict on these gents , any truth in the story ??....Semovente

[Semovente]

No one ??....

[MarcoPennisi]

I had one just like that a very long time ago, I bent , I broke it and disposed of. Foolish of me. I shouldn't have tampered with it and/or kept it anyway. I've seen only your specimen and mine and can't tell whether it's legit or they should look different, sorry.

[Semovente]

I had one just like that a very long time ago, I bent , I broke it and disposed of. Foolish of me. I shouldn't have tampered with it and/or kept it anyway. I've seen only your specimen and mine and can't tell whether it's legit or they should look different, sorry.

Thanks Marco .....yes they dont take much bending as they are very flimsey & would'nt stand much ever day wear !..this was said to be the reason as the Story goes on these badges for their rejection ..ive had my example some time but know very little about its origins etc !?

[galizien41]

They are original. I know the person who sourced them. The manufacturer last name Leva if I remeber correctly manufactured them in Florence for the San Marco unit. pre RSI time. But his son said that they were too thin and fragile, so the unit cancelled the order and never paid because of the flaw. My friend bought the remaining stock from the manufacturer's son. He has a few remaining and sold one on ebay last month.

[Semovente]

They are original. I know the person who sourced them. The manufacturer last name Leva if I remeber correctly manufactured them in Florence for the San Marco unit. pre RSI time. But his son said that they were too thin and fragile, so the unit cancelled the order and never paid because of the flaw. My friend bought the remaining stock from the manufacturer's son. He has a few remaining and sold one on ebay last month.

Galizien thanks very much indeed !.....your the first who has confirmed any of the story on these badges with your info ...thats very interesting as i said information was very sketchy & no positive leads at all. It seems some collectors have aquired examples but have not been sure of them !?

[galizien41]

I trust my friend 100%. Have dealt with him for years. If he says he got them from his son, he did. And he lives in italy and visited with a lot of the former manufacturers and warehouses. Not much left anymore but every once and a while things pop up.

[Semovente]

I trust my friend 100%. Have dealt with him for years. If he says he got them from his son, he did. And he lives in italy and visited with a lot of the former manufacturers and warehouses. Not much left anymore but every once and a while things pop up.

Yes thats very nice to know !..i got to say i have doubted my own example as i have as two good collector friends of mine in Italy who have different opinons on the badge !..one is ok with it ..the other says they were fake !?...so things are lookin up ...

[galizien41]

Its an original period made badge. Just unissued due to the thinness and fragility of it. So not many people have had exposure to them, and hence doubts on originality.

[Semovente]

Its an original period made badge. Just unissued due to the thinness and fragility of it. So not many people have had exposure to them, and hence doubts on originality.

Yep your right ...

[ARDITO]

they are original, but they have never been used, they remained in the manufacturer's warehouses, because of their fragility, they arrived in our days in perfect conditions.

[Dennis S]

Learn something new everyday , but why the loops pins British style ?