{"product_id":"vintage-french-naval-commando-ouragan-bronze-badge-indochina-war-arthus-bertrand","title":"Vintage French Naval Commando Ouragan Bronze Badge Indochina War Arthus Bertrand","description":"\u0026lt;h2\u0026gt;Vintage French Naval Commando Ouragan Bronze Badge, Authenticated 1950s First Issue\u0026lt;\/h2\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;Authentication, Raised Maker Mark (Key Indicator):\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; The reverse carries the full historic maker stamp \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;ARTHUS BERTRAND\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; and \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;RUE DE RENNES\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; in \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;raised relief lettering\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt;, not incised or stamped into the surface. This is the critical distinction between a 1950s wartime original and a 1970s veteran restrike. During the 1950s, Arthus Bertrand used heavy high-pressure master dies where the workshop name and address were cut deeply into the steel die itself. When the bronze sheet was stamped under immense pressure, the metal squeezed upwards into those channels, producing crisp raised lettering that forms an integral part of the badge's casting structure. The 1970s restrikes used cheaper post-war methods, smooth-backed blanks with the maker mark cold-stamped downward into the metal, leaving incised (sunken) marks. The raised text on this badge confirms it was struck on the original mid-century industrial machinery in Paris during the height of the conflict. See the reverse photos for the maker mark detail.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;Unit History:\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; Commando Ouragan was a French Naval Commando unit formed during the First Indochina War. Operating in Tonkin and Cochinchine, the unit absorbed survivors of Commando Francois in May 1953 (named after Lt. Francois Jacques, killed in the Ninh Binh region). Commando Ouragan conducted sabotage operations behind Viet Minh lines during the siege of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. The unit was dissolved in late 1954. Personnel were a mix of European French and local Indochinese. The badge design features an Asian-style dragon with a red-enamelled forked tongue coiled around a crossed anchor and commando dagger, with the legend COMMANDO OURAGAN in raised block letters. Reference: Lafleur and Pugh, Insignia of the French Commandos, WW2 to Present, reference J-52.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;Condition:\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; The badge retains its original, uncleaned dark patina throughout, a rich aged brown-olive tone that military collectors value highly. Polishing would destroy this collector value. The red enamel tongue is intact with minor wear at the very tip. The steel safety-pin clasp is original and functional, with deep period tarnish consistent with decades of age. No cracks, bends, or repairs. Minor rim dings visible in the photos.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;Approximate era:\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; Early 1950s, First Indochina War period.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;Collector notes:\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; Arthus-Bertrand produced authorized restrikes in the 1970s for unit veterans using the same dies and marks. However, the raised lettering on this piece, combined with the full Rue de Rennes address, is a textbook combination for a genuine first-issue field piece struck on the original mid-century industrial machinery in Paris.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;Packed carefully and dispatched same day from the UK.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;Explore more vintage militaria, French collectibles and naval badges in our store, The Voyage Bird.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;","brand":"Unbranded","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52590035501196,"sku":"TVBMILCO0801","price":89.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0376\/0793\/2044\/files\/57_4f5067b0-ca7a-44c8-a200-74136fe16f45.png?v=1786896222","url":"https:\/\/www.thevoyagebird.co.uk\/products\/vintage-french-naval-commando-ouragan-bronze-badge-indochina-war-arthus-bertrand","provider":"TheVoyageBird","version":"1.0","type":"link"}