More Reproduction Great War Badges

I'm working on a small commission now to make a set of badges for a reenactment group in Belgium associated with Passchendaele. I was contacted by them through my blogs and was very fortunate to be able to find a source of original 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles badges that I could purchase for the moulding process. In short order Mike McMahon of Arctic Medals sent me these badges which have since been shipped to the foundry in Montreal prior to my cleaning up and preparation for a shipment to Belgium. I am delighted to be a part of this exchange, and to help with the preservation of memories regarding the Great War centenary.

Here's the 5th CMR cap badge

Once again the common elements of the Mapleleaf and the Beaver, along with the King's crown, have been turned into a typical First World War cap badge. But what a 5! It is bold and dramatic and has something of an Art Nouveau flair about it. I find it curious to think of all of these badges being designed and created by the thousands for the war, and of the men for whom this badge was a uniting link to all their comrades.

I've done some copies of a different style of the shoulder title too. This is the word "CANADA" with open letters.

This photo shows the original. It is standing on a pencil eraser for support and to give a sense of size.

The next photo shows the copy that I have made:

I find my new castings need a good bit of hand polishing and then they are almost indistinguishable from the originals if they, too, have been polished. All the pits and scratches of the original are reproduced in the copy. However, the originals are stamped from sheet brass while mine are cast. Seen from behind it is clear which is original and which is the copy. I wouldn't want anyone to think I was pulling the wool over a collector's eyes.

If you discover my blog and I want to reproduction of a badge for yourself please contact me at this Gmail address:  timothyjsoper@gmail.com