The Selous Scouts insignia is not just a collectible; it’s a treasure steeped in history, yet it’s also the most commonly faked item in Rhodesian military memorabilia. Among these, the officer’s insignia is especially vulnerable to forgery. Collectors, take heed—recognizing the genuine articles is crucial to ensure your collection reflects authenticity.
“Reuteler lugs” is a term used by myself and a few other collectors over a decade ago. It is just a reference to the type of lugs that Reuteler used on officer’s and other ranks (OR’s) insignia.
This is the reverse of a genuine Selous Scouts officer’s beret badge as made by Reuteler Manufacturing. There were a number of different stampings that were used.
I have put this example here so that viewers who don’t know a lot about this badge can get an idea of what they are meant to look like. “One look is worth a thousand words” as they say.
It won’t tell you everything but it will give you an idea.
This ‘Selous Scouts stable belt was sold by Stuart Gairdner to someone I knew who then posted it on a Facebook group.
I saw it and that’s when the questions started from myself and Markham Batstone, another experienced collector and researcher. The third photo shows our opinions.
There is no doubt that someone has made this belt up and sold it for a very high price to someone less experienced than us.
This was listed as a fake. Werner Reuteler never used SIL on any Rhodesian officer’s insignia.
The lugs are also too large and slightly different to the genuine lug shown in the last photo.
There’s a reason this item is listed here. I don’t have a problem with the genuineness of the badge or the beret.
The reason I have listed it here is that the name is not on the Selous Scouts roll. Could the person have been support? They could have been but Laurie Critten was support and his name is on the roll.
This is also to show the conversation between the two us and to show people that nothing should be taken for granted.
Sold by Michael Kaplan (aka Kaplan Auctions in South Africa) for $805. The beret and badge was listed as belonging to Captain Chris Schulenburg GCV SCR.
The beret was in terrible condition, featuring a tear at the front that had been stitched up and significant moth damage. The officer’s beret badge was a fake. The cover for the badge’s lugs had the name Schulenburg written on it, along with his initials.
It is absurd to suggest that someone like Chris Schulenburg would wear a fake officer’s beret badge.
Listed by C & T Auctioneers and Valuers in December 2024. The Selous Scouts collar badges on the right hand side are fake. The third photo is of genuine collar badges.
Listed by grayman077 on eBay around June 2019 as a beret badge belonging to Sgt Clive Mason’s beret. Clive was a former Rhodesian SAS trooper and was a Selous Scout sniper when he was shot dead on 15 Mar 1977.
The badge is a very poor fake and was not worn by Clive.
It is not uncommon for some sellers to add the name of someone deceased to an item, especially someone well-known or famous.