DCLI Posted 15 June , 2004 Share Posted 15 June , 2004 I have two 1914-15 Stars. One is copper coloured, one is brass coloured. Is one a fake? They are both stamped, the copper coloured one with the number 840, ie early but as they were issued after the war (I assume) I wouldn't have thought it would make any difference. The brass coloured one shows wear so does not appear to be a reproduction. Can anyone help? See picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 15 June , 2004 Share Posted 15 June , 2004 The books by Howard Williamson have a useful chapter on fake 14 & 14/15 Stars, which you might find of interest. Using his guide IMHO these both look good to me. Never use the fact that something is worn to class it as an original piece. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 15 June , 2004 Share Posted 15 June , 2004 I have two 1914-15 Stars. One is copper coloured, one is brass coloured. Is one a fake? They are both stamped, the copper coloured one with the number 840, ie early but as they were issued after the war (I assume) I wouldn't have thought it would make any difference. The brass coloured one shows wear so does not appear to be a reproduction. Can anyone help? See picture. I concur with Ian,They do appear AOK These Stars do vary in Colour & consequently do Oxidise differently,giving different age patinas,depending on how & with what they were previously cleaned/polished & which atmospheric chemicals they have been in association with,over the past 75+ odd years,a Pic of the reverse would be advantageous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 15 June , 2004 Share Posted 15 June , 2004 I would agree with all the above. Bronze is pretty variable in composition. Coinage bronze in Britain is 95% copper, 4% tin and 1% zinc. I suspect that the stampers weren`t too fussy about the content of the bronze they were using. A softer bronze might have had the double advantage of being cheaper and less wearing to the dies. Generally speaking, the more brassy it looks the further we`re getting away from coinage bronze and the cheaper and softer it probably was. I think the copper would be the most expensive constituent and zinc the cheapest. Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCLI Posted 15 June , 2004 Author Share Posted 15 June , 2004 Thanks for that, I can relax a little now Why would people fake a 1914-15 Star anyway? They are not valuable. Here's a pic of the reverse. Anthony farrar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 16 June , 2004 Share Posted 16 June , 2004 Thanks for that, I can relax a little now Why would people fake a 1914-15 Star anyway? They are not valuable. Here's a pic of the reverse. Anthony farrar Sadly they do!Fakes,Replicas Whateveter you wish to call them ~ A Rose by any other name..........Great rank on the RFA Trio Star:~ 'Shoeing~Smith Acting Shoeing Smith Corporal'!If ever you decide to part with them Id be very interested! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCLI Posted 16 June , 2004 Author Share Posted 16 June , 2004 Thanks for that. As I've just started collecting so it may be some time before I sell any. Incidentally, I posted a query on the rank of one of them, it reads: S-STH-A-S-STH.CPL Perhaps that could be Shoeing Smith, Acting Shoeing Smith Corporal? Regards to all Anthony Farrar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 16 June , 2004 Share Posted 16 June , 2004 Thanks for that. As I've just started collecting so it may be some time before I sell any. Incidentally, I posted a query on the rank of one of them, it reads: S-STH-A-S-STH.CPL Perhaps that could be Shoeing Smith, Acting Shoeing Smith Corporal? Regards to all Anthony Farrar Yep! Excuse my error its me eyes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 17 June , 2004 Share Posted 17 June , 2004 Thanks for that, I can relax a little now Why would people fake a 1914-15 Star anyway? They are not valuable. Here's a pic of the reverse. Anthony farrar The problem is the ones that are faked are valuable - such as RND, MGC recipients etc. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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