Cap Badge Collecting
Military cap badges are a fascinating entry into regimental history, but it is a minefield of fakes. The market is saturated with “restrikes”—badges made from the original dies long after the regiment disbanded, or modern copies made in Asia.
Collectors focus on the World War I and II eras. A genuine badge from the Great War era typically has a “slider” (a long metal strip on the back) rather than lugs, though this varies by regiment. “Economy” badges from WW1, made of all-brass instead of bi-metal due to metal shortages, are a specific niche of interest.
Collector’s Tip: Look at the back of the badge.
A genuine badge will usually have a crisp “negative” of the image on the front. If the back is smooth or solid, it’s likely a casting (fake). Furthermore, check the “slider.” On many fakes, the slider is too short or is made of a flimsy, shiny copper material. A genuine slider is stiff, often has a distinct “kink” to hold it in the cap, and shows genuine patina consistent with the badge face.
