Fake Badges and How to Identify Them
This document is an introduction to identifying reproduction badges from the genuine item and is created to assist the badge collector to avoid being mislead.
Over the last 20 or so years, the amount of reproduction or fake badges have significantly increased with many shysters and other greedy people trying to take advantage of the increased interest in Australian badges and militaria. This has resulted in many collectors paying good dollars for worthless chunks of metal that are a misrepresentation of the real thing. Fortunately for the collector, many fakes are easy to spot. This document is designed to assist the badge collector in what to look for when identifying badges.
Jeff Cossum in his books has states that " If in doubt, leave it alone". I agree with him wholeheartedly. If a badge looks suspicious, or very roughly made then chances are its a fake. Give it a miss as a real one will eventually turn up. Remember, patience is a big virtue when it comes to badge collecting.
I classify reproduction badges into three categories To view the information, click on the link. They are:
A) Reproduction badges that are clearing marked or obvious as reproduction badges that are used as gap fillers in collections or for other purposes (re-enactor groups etc)
B) Fakes - Badges reproduced to deceive the collector. While some of these are easy to spot, others are better made and take close examination to detect.
C) Restrikes - Badges that have been restruck using original dies but well after then time when they were originally worn. More commonly found to occur with English rather than Australian badges but something to be aware of. Almost impossible to detect.
This document will be concentrating mostly on how to detect fake badges.
Geoff Cossum in his 1930-42 Badge book states that there are 2 types of reproductions:
"One that is struck in a soft, heavy metal that will bend and snap easily. The second type is a pressure casting, which is a very good copy, except that it is heavier than the normal die-struck badge. Many have filled in or sold back sections, may have file marks and some have Oxidised or Gilt finishes."
Some Australian badges that are legitimate are also roughly made - several unofficial AIF badges made during WW1 in Egypt come into this category.
The very first pattern blackened 3 Cav badge also falls into this category - officially worn but with lugs and looks like a fake.I hope this will assist collectors in identifying good badges from fake ones.
Stay tuned for a page on fake patches. Another area of collecting where unscrupulous people have reproduced patches for the sake of making a few dollars at the expense of unwary collectors - many such patches are found on eBay - caveat emptor!