Fake L.C.C. 1939 Air Raid Warden Armband

3/21/2026

Someone is going to be disappointed when they find out this armband on eBay is a modern reproduction. The armband is based off an original wartime example (but that original had a screen-printed ARP emblem). The L.C.C. (LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL) 1939 has been added to fool people as have the aged-related marks.

The armband is actually available on Soldier of Fortune's website for a tenner. The seller, I'll give them the benefit of doubt, may also be in the dark and think it's original.

It is a common ploy to sprinkle original items in with the crap. The rest of items shown are original.

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Fake GWR, LNER and SR ARP Badges

1/27/2026

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Appearing once again on the tat bazaar (eBay) are these fake GWR (Great Western Railway), LNER (London & North Eastern Railway) and SR (Southern Railway) railway badges. In the past they have appeared on battledress and other crap. Don't fall for these badges, they are utter garbage and come from Pakistan.

Fake GWR, LNER and SR ARP Badges

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Multiple Red Flags For Fake Divisional Assistant Warden (DAW) Helmet

1/7/2026

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The helmet below recently sold on the tat bazaar (that's eBay) for £235 (including shipping). It was described as, and I quote, "Rare 1939 dated Divisional Assistant Warden ( DAW ) ARP officers ww2 helmet". However, it isn't and there are multiple red flags:

"Divisional Assistant Warden" is not a title used in the Wardens' Service. The known naming structure was "Deputy Divisional Warden" (DDW) and white helmets bearing this marking are known
Senior roles in the Wardens' Service generally didn't wear black helmets
White diamonds on a black helmet, though not unheard of, is very rare
Within the Wardens' Service the letter "W" is the primary marking, and was never demoted to a secondary, smaller size
The diamonds are too small
The helmet, in my opinion, was originally a basic "A" (Ambulance) and the rest of the lettering was added later
And finally, it was sold by a well-known shyster who has form for producing and selling fake militaria

Did you buy it? I'd ask for my money back.

Fake Divisional Assistant Warden (DAW) Helmet

Fake Divisional Assistant Warden (DAW) helmet markings

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Fake Green Enamel "AIR RAID WARDENS' POST" Signs

5/23/2025

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Sadly, these reproduction green enamel Wardens' Posts signs are doing the rounds again. I first blogged about these back in 2020, but it appears another batch has been imported from China (or wherever they are being produced cheaply). They have battered screw holes and other dings added for a sense of wear and tear/authenticity.

Most are appearing on eBay, priced between £60 and £100, and claimed to be original. They have also crept onto the main auctioneer sites. Unfortunately, they will catch out quite a few people as they are compelling fakes.

I'll try to locate an original for comparison.

Fake Green Enamel Wardens' Post Signs

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Fake Padded ARP Breast Badge

4/22/2025

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I have encountered quite a few oval ARP breast badges over the years, but the example below is the first I've come across that is thickly padded. Most embroidered examples are on dark blue bluette (cotton twill) fabric, as is this badge. This example also used a thick red thread for the lettering and the oval.

After a steer from a regular contributor to the site, I had a much closer look at the badge. I opened up one seam carefully and found there was a paper lining. And on the paper? Arabic writing...

So, if you come across a very padded ARP breast badge, chances are it's a fake.

Fake padded ARP breast badge

Arabic text on paper lining

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<<Previous

Fake L.C.C. 1939 Air Raid Warden Armband

Fake GWR, LNER and SR ARP Badges

Multiple Red Flags For Fake Divisional Assistant Warden (DAW) Helmet

Fake Green Enamel "AIR RAID WARDENS' POST" Signs

Fake Padded ARP Breast Badge

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