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Civil War Cap Insignia – Real or Memorex?

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Civil War163 of 404G. A. R. Banner?Closer view of locket
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    Posted 8 years ago

    Chrisnp
    (310 items)

    Continuing my tour of purchases I’ve later come to question, here are a set of Civil War cap badges. I hope Scottvez will drop by and point out the “tells” on these items, But even more so next week when I show a CW buckle.

    The Cavalry crossed swords, Infantry bugle and Artillery cannon shown here were the branch insignia prescribed in 1858 to be worn on enlisted men’s hats, and worn throughout the Civil War. They measure about three and a quarter inches across.

    Like the last item, these were purchased off e-Bay back in a time when I wasn’t being too careful. All three came together in a Riker mount display box. The seller described them as unissued badges from old Bannerman Surplus stock. As I recall, the photos were not particularly good – sometimes that’s not by accident. Back in the day I would take a gamble and throw in a low bid on a lot of things, not really expecting to win. Once again, nobody topped my bid. For the price I paid I don't mind much; I got some nice place holders while waiting for the real thing, and a perfectly good Riker box to boot!

    So, besides the suspiciously low price, there are a couple small places on back where the patina disappears. Mostly something just “feels wrong”. I’d really like to hear from the rest of you about what you spot.

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    Comments

    1. scottvez scottvez, 8 years ago
      Sorry chris, I don't know these well enough to give you a good answer.

      There are a ton of these out there and Bannerman did carry a lot of it.

      Good luck!

      scott
    2. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 8 years ago
      I have my doubts as to the authenticity but can't give specific reason from pix. Making fakes has become big business. Many are so good that they can fool "experts". Some buy excellent reproductions & "age" them. It is becoming harder to market the real thing because of collector's mistrust. The attitude among the wise is: Assume fakes, bid that way & hope for a pleasant surprise.
    3. Militarist Militarist, 8 years ago
      Based on the scans, no wear, artificially aged, good for the re-enactors market.
    4. battlegear battlegear, 8 years ago
      They look like repros from the 1980's , I remember Civil War buffs / reenacters at the gun shows use to sell this stuff, brass ages easily, I remember buying the cross swords just like yours at a gun show for a couple bucks to decorate a Vietnam steel helmet to look like Air Cav, I left mine on the window sill and it didnt take long for the brass to darken and look aged.
    5. Chrisnp Chrisnp, 8 years ago
      Thanks for everyone's comments. I do appreciate them. Scott, Militarist, battlegear - a trifecta of militaria enthusiasts! Plus Blunderbuss, who is in a class all his own :) (Just kidding around Blunder).

      I think we get to a point where we've handled enough stuff where we know when something just does not feel right. If I saw these or last weeks guard eagle at a gun show, I would never have bitten. It took me a bit longer to get my eBay smarts.

      Chris

    6. Chrisnp Chrisnp, 8 years ago
      Thanks for the love ttomtucker, fortapache, battlegear, Manikin, brunswick and blunder.

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