TR Badge Fake or real?

[Riley1965]

A member of another forum asked"--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can someone please tell me if the 5th Don Cossack Cross (photos attached) I have is real or a fake?"

Thank you,

Doc

[Gordon Williamson]

I'd have to say this looks like a postwar copy. Originals didn't have that very coarse pebbling to the reverse and were fitted with a steel pin rather than brass. Here is the reverse of one which is believed to be a genuine wartime piece.

[Gordon Williamson]

Here is another comparison, 1970s fake on the left. Note the curvature of the numeral "9" in the date of the fake, and the typical extremely dark blue shade of the paint on this particular style of copy.

Also, on the original if you look closely, you will find a slight raised vertical line above the "28" on the date in the lower arm, from the groove for the pin on the reverse.

[Riley1965]

Thank You!! I'll pass on the bad news.

Doc