Mock badge Cadorna

The internet offers incredible opportunities even for old-fashioned guys like me who don’t really know how to use search engines optimally. I sometimes stumble upon exciting information based on the udder between the horns. The truth is that it’s not really possible to specifically search for something that we don’t know about.

There are quite a few mock badges that depict enemy soldiers in funny situations while the Monarchy’s bucks teach them the lesson. One such badge shows a fleeing Italian officer who, judging by his mustache, could be the Italian commander-in-chief, Cadorna. It’s a solid, nicely silver-plated badge. In terms of shape, material, and style, it’s similar to three other mock badges that I’ve shown here before. These badges are clearly the work of the same maker. Another series of mock badges in different look, material, and style was produced by the Arkanzas company, but these badges are typically “Arkanzas” and are otherwise also marked.

Until now, I knew nothing about the origin of the four badges that are different from the others, similar to each other, since they are not marked. Now, however, the internet has provided the solution. In one of the archives, I saw the badges on a page of a 1916 issue of the contemporary Hungarian satiric magazine, Borsszem Jankó. The intact text clearly identified the publisher as the designer (manufacturer). Even more interesting is that in addition to the four known types, there are also pictures of 5 other badges on the page. However, I have never had these as concrete, finished badges in my hands. They all depict enemies next to allied soldiers, in funny, uncomfortable poses. I do not know whether these were finally realized, or were they just drafts?