Bullion wire badge

Here is a photo of a badge I saw in an antique shop today.

There was no description on the lable - so I'm guessing that the shop owner wasn't sure of its origins.

The badge was rectangular, about 3inches tall by 2inches wide. The 'S' were in silver wire and the dagger in gold wire, the background cloth was black.

My immediate thought was No2 Commando but, looking again I think the 'dagger' is too broad and there is no crossguard/S-guard on the dagger.

Any ideas?

Nick

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 07/09/2012 15:16:10

Hi Nick

First thoughts are its a bad copy of something.......with mixed references in the design.

The SBS early badges used 'Excalibur'as the knife element with SS either side 'B' underneath but the knife pointed 'up'

The early SAS used a similar sword design but with wings.

The Greek Sacred sqd again used a similar design knife but no SS.

Does it look 'new' ?

regards

John M

Perhaps someone else can help more

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 07/09/2012 20:56:07

Yes I thought it was a little 'confused' too, but the craftwork was good and if, as I suspect, the threads are actually gold & silver it is an expensive way to make a repo.

The ticket was marked £5 and, with the normal 'best price' of 10% off the ticket price, there's no profit to be made there.

As I've said before, I'm not a collector so I wasn't interested in buying it but managed to get a shot of it when it had been replaced, the right way up, in the cabinet...
This is how I first saw it and I think everyone will agree the dagger should point down...

Nick

This reproduction may at first appear a rather similar design to the No2 Commando officer badge. Possibly made at this size, in these materials for wear as a blazer badge - though not just for officers, and not necessarily just for veterans of No2 Commando. We have all see similar brass or white metal versions with COMMANDO across the top - which have sometimes been used (by those of all ranks, and from various Commandos) purely as 'Commando Association' badges. It may explain its existence. I believe it is a modern fabrication having only seen similar images of bullion wire badge recently, and rather think it is pure fantasy. Regards Mike