? A restrike

[myk1066]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291086586974?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

The above link is for a Vintage Queen Alexandra Hospital Home Enamel Badge, is it a re-strike, the pin looks cheap compared to the one on a seller website.

[backman]

I have an early silver version from the 1920s which is lovely and crisp.This appears to be a modern version.The status of both is probably as a commemorative or Fund Raiser rather than a training badge as I cannot find evidence of it being a nurse training school,although interestingly it does take students on placement today;http:  //www.qahh.org.uk/about-us/student-nurses/
I believe that there is a similar situation with the Royal Star and Garter home in Richmond.
As far as re strikes are concerned these are probably most common amongst military items where estimates are that almost all such badges offered on ebay are modern copies! So far we have been lucky in that many nursing items are enamelled rather than pressed metal.There are a few examples of copies,notably Cane Hill,Hellingly and Epsom and it is only when compared against originals they are clearly copies. The one that I have most doubts about are the Royal Navy School of Nursing items which appear to have very shoddy pin fittings. I don't think that there is a definitive way of ensuring real or copy other than by experience and provenance.Even some of the modern items appear shoddy despite being genuine!
I would not be too surprised to eventually see St Thomas' badges being reproduced as copies to feed the growing and pricey market for these,possibly form India?

[nursesue]

I have some modern replicas as they were sold to me as such but I remain convinced that my royal navy SEN is also a repro The rear pin finding and the metal is a give away to me but I'm not that happy with it perhaps I should have returned it
sue