British cap badges

[Menno]

Hi,
I'm new to the forum, and have posted some messages since last week in the german section.
I collect different kind of militaria, British, Us and German.
Last week I bought some cap badges, my first since I got a Gloucester badge from my friend.

In general I would like to ask do you ever polish them, or leave them as found, and is there a way
to determine the age? Are there fakes like the german medals?

Here are the pictures, I think they are all reasonably common. There are two of which I have some questions.
There is the Surrey brigade cadet badge, can't find any info on that on the internet, and the royal artillery badge,
this one had a separately mounted wheels, is this something special or also common.
any info is welcome, best regards Menno

[Adrian Stevenson]

All look fine to me.

Age can be tricky to determine, as some cap badges were the same in WW1 as they were in WW2.

Britsh cap badges are widely faked: some are even struck on old original dies. But the brass used never quite looks right when they are new.

The RA cap badge with revolving wheel is not rare.

Cleaning them is a matter of personal choice. A wash in warm soapy water and clean with a old soft toothbrush will not hurt.

Cheers, Ade.

[Menno]

Thanks for the info.

Menno