Characteristics of Gaunt copies

On the face of it, this example of a Tiger and Rose badge seems very much like any other. However, it has certain flaws and characteristics that are indicative of this being a 1970’s Gaunt made copy. This particular example has no white metal Coronet or Rose.

1. The J.R.GAUNT.LONDON maker mark on the slider is an indicator of the period during the 1970’s when Gaunt copies were sometimes (but not always) marked in this way with a dot between the letter T of Gaunt and the letter L of London. The size of a copied makers mark is 15mm long and just over 1mm high.  

However, care should be taken as there are genuine J.R.GAUNT.LONDON marked badges that measure 11mm long and less than 1mm high.

2. The letter ‘A’ in the words AND/LANCASTER run into the circlet (seen better from the rear view).

3. An obvious flaw to the left of the letter ‘Y’ on the edge of the scroll can be easily discerned.  

4. The detail in the laurel wreath is poorly defined.

5. The whiskers and nose on the head of the Tiger show excessive wear that is out of proportion to wear elsewhere on the badge.

6. Genuine Gaunt badges have an oblong sweat hole behind the Coronet and a round sweat hole behind the Rose. Fake Gaunt badges do not have these sweat holes.

It is difficult to believe that all of the exact same flaws exist in badges that range from when loops were in use prior to 1903 right through to when fatter sliders were being fitted on 1970’s copies.  It is therefore easy to conclude that the following examples were made from the same dies with the same flaws in the 1970’s.