1950’s, 4th ARMY GROUP, EXCELLENCE IN COMPETITION (EIC), PISTOL, SILVER, SHOOTING BADGE, PINBACK, HALLMARKED

This is an original prototype made in 1958. Pinback with functional rotating clasp. The reverse is hallmarked  (medal reverse) “ BLACKINTON, STER" at the base of the medal; “STERLING” at the weapons intersection, and "STERLING" on the brooch.  Unused, New Old Stock (NOS). Nice clean EIC badge/medal.

The manufacture of gold and silver colored prototype badges in the 1950’s and the use of silver badges from 1961 into the 21^st century have provided a source of rifle and pistol clasps in gold and silver that allows either unscrupulous dealers or unknowing collectors to assemble gold or silver clasps to bronze pendants and brooches, creating badges that might appear to have been awarded in the 1930’s.

The easiest method to distinguish these clasps is by the markings or hallmarks on the reverse. Original gold-colored clasps dating from the World Wars are marked 14K on the reverse side butt or stock of the weapon. 1955 badges either are not marked (which allows for the false markings at this time) or are marked 1/20 KGF at the weapons intersection

1950s prototype leg badges in gold, silver and bronze colors, both rifle and pistol. Each group was made with 9 different brooches: National matches, army wide matches, each CONUS army area, and Military District of Washington.