WW2 plastic Canadian paratroopers beret badge

[Preppy Picker]

Help on whether this badge is original or not.

 

Are they really worth $1000?

[Tonomachi]

That looks like a real one but there is a copy out there that is very convincing.  Due to the high ridiculous asking prices for these beret badges the counterfeiters began making copies.  The first ones were crudely made and wouldn't fool anyone however someone has come up with a really good copy.  Sorry for the poor photo but I couldn't find the original photos and this is a screen shot off of the monitor of my computer screen.  The following photo and text came from I believe the British & Commonwealth Military Badge Form.  The copy on the left has the back marred up which the author felt was done by the counterfeiter to help pull the badge out of the mold.  I would bet that the counterfeiter is a lot better at this and has produced copies that aren't marred on the back which would probably fool me if maybe placed out in the sun to sort of age it a little to get that newness shine off of the plastic. 

 

The following text is the findings of another collector on the mentioned forum:

 

"Repro left, original right. The sharpness of the original is obvious along with the patina from age and handling. While it is a fact that different production runs of the plastic badge produced different colours due to the fact that the colour mixture was done by hand, even the known originals in a darker brown (almost black) colour do not appear with such a complexion. Note the dents in the back of the repro badge left. Why should these exist? After examining the front, it becomes obvious that whoever made this badge could not get it out of the mold. Also note that the plastic pin is warped. Originals are straight. While the originals have fine lines running around part of the width of the pin, the lines on the repro are more pronounced. Rather than a detail out of the mold, the lines of the repro pin are made after the pin came out of the mold. This suggests an effort to refine the shape of the repro pin. The lugs are also thinner and the holes made for the pin almost break the lug at the top."

 

 

[Preppy Picker]

Thank you for that information, it is most useful. Would you say that the quality of the front molding of this badge is what leads you to believe it’s original? Pictured is a group of insignia including the para corps badge that were recently pulled out of a curb side trash heap. I do not own them.

 

 

[Tonomachi]

The lugs are pretty thick and the pin is very straight so there is a very good chance that it is real.  A lot of times when these come up for sale the pin is missing.  A number of the beret badges in this grouping look post war but the AIRBONE CANADA shoulder patches are WW2 and the paratrooper wings are of the type that was worn during and after WW2.  

[Preppy Picker]

The seller wants $1000 cash or trade. A bit steep in my opinion as I would want to capitalize on it to fund something I really want.

[Tonomachi]

Your seller is asking top dollar for this piece so I don't see any chance of moving it along with a higher asking price.  I have a large collection of WW2 Canadian airborne insignia which I have collected over a 40 plus year period.  However I do not have this piece or some of the higher end officer's beret badge and collar insignia because I refuse to pay these ridiculous asking prices.