AIXIA the Beautiful ... my favourite badge maker...

[Chris Boonzaier]

AIXIA was a small firm founded (apparently) by an ex legionnaire. They made badges in the early 90s for 2-3 legion regiments. Not regular everyday badges, but usually cast out of silver, hand finished items. They usually made special occasion or "OPEX" (deployment) commemorative badges. They made a number of badges for the units who deployed to Cambodia in the early 90s,  for the 3rd Compagnie 2REI in Zaire etc. They also made the Officers X-Mas gift badge for 2 REI in 1991, and the 150th Anniversary for the regiment in the same year (Which had the El Mounghar Skirmish info in the back). The badges were cast in silver and were all unique with the small imperfections which can be found in hand made products (See the finishing difference below the banner on the Baumier badge).

The OPEX badges were commemorative in nature and were not to be worn. The 2 REI badge could be worn instead of the mass produced item if you had a taste for quality.

Also shown are what seem to be a test strike for the Noel 91 2REI badge, and what looks to be one that did not pass the Quality control and had its loops snipped off. I assume the last was cast, had the loops added amd when it went onto the next stage was rejected due to casting imperfections and had its loops snipped and was never finished.