11 replies to this topic

[Hawkers]

Hi

These beercan pocket badges were picked up at the War Market in Saigon. Are they real or reproductions? Any feedback appreciated. Thanks.




Hawkers

[Spike]

Betcha anything they are fake, you almost have to assume that ANYTHING coming outta Vietnam lately is repro/fake, one can dream though.....

[all-bull]

If the backs are a brass color or have sautering marks on the posts, then they are almost guaranteed repros unfortunately. Hope this helps.

[vintageproductions]

Just like all the patches coming out of Vietnam today are fake so are all the local made metal insignia. In fact the armor one is a fantasy piece per say. It was used on the local letterhead for the unit and on some plaques. All the patches and di's are fakes. Just like the ones shown in the Vetnam Marine Corps patch book that is published by Schiffer.

[BEAST]

If the backs are a brass color or have sautering marks on the posts, then they are almost guaranteed repros unfortunately. Hope this helps.

All-bull, Would you please (in laymen's terms) explain sautering and what kind of marks you will see? Thanks!

[aef1917]

All-bull, Would you please (in laymen's terms) explain sautering and what kind of marks you will see? Thanks!

I think it's probably the same as soldering, just spelled wrong.

[BOB K. RKSS]

Remember that Beer Cans were made of STEEL during the Vietnam War.

[QED4]

Not everything was made of steel, brass was used from shell casing which were pretty much every where. Just look at all the plaques that came out of Viet Nam. Below is pictured a very similar badge but for the 4th Bn it is made of brass and is screw back, the screw post are very tiny about the size of a clutch pin but threaded. The nut is a knurled steel cup crimped around a threaded brass disc. I got this badge from the guy that wore it back in 1973 or 74, it is one of the oldest pieces (actually not oldest but had the longest) in my collection. These badge are closer to the plaques in size and detail that they are to DIs. You can't really say because it is brass it automatically means it is new, although in this case I do agree it is new.

[Spike]

I don't see the picture.

[QED4]

Well I guess I am just getting old, can't even say something didn't work I just plain forgot to attach it. Sorry

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[QED4]

Both sides would not fit in one post so here is the back.

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[Hawkers]

Guys - many thanks for the informative feedback! My badges appear to be made form a very thin brass sheet, and yes - the safety-pin fastener on the back has been soldered. I had to admit I had my doubts when I bought 'em - and your info has confirmed this. Useful to compare with a real DUI - thanks for the pics, QED4.

Anyway I now have some idea of how the the repros differ from the real items.

Hawkers

BTW - Merry Xmas to all!