RK IAB - prototype design?

[pavels_2005]

Hi all,

I would like to show you this interesting IAB. It is a RK design, but has totally different hardware. The hardware is made from steel and has identical design as the hardware that RK used on numbered GABs, LW GABs or ROAGs. Typical hardware also for other Gablonz manufacturers as JFS or AGMuK. I never saw such IAB before. We can only guess if this is a late war design that never reached the serial production. Or some prototype design that was developed during the war but wasnt approved for production. As the piece is finished and also received surface finish I would think there should be more examples around.

Lets see others opinions. Did anyone see such example before?

Any ideas and comments welcome.

Best regards
Pavel

[Graeme]

Hi Pavel

I have never seen such an example, but I must say that it looks good and original in my opinion.
How it came about or where it fits into any timeline is a mystery in my opinion.

The appearance and finish look very believeable and the hinge crimp looks a match to the badges you have compared to.

Can you post further pics of close ups of the hinge and catch areas, plus a full pic with the pin open..

thanks for posting
Graeme

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Pavel,

You never cease to amaze me, what a great discovery! As you say, the hardware look identical to what RK used on their #GABs and LGABs. And the way its crimped in is also very similar. The fact that we have always associated this type of IAB design with RK also fits this picture perfectly. Also the finish is very similar to what we find on RK #GABs and LGABs so I really think you have something special and genuine here.

I personally have never seen anything like this, but everything looks like you would expect from an RK IAB. That fact that it is finished and well preserved is just icing on the cake, I can imagine you are receiving some PMs for this one

Where did you find it? Any more clues on who is the identity behind the "RK" initials?

Great find Pavel!

Tom

[Jeff V]

Hardware reminds me of JFS numbered badges. Any shear marks on the catch?

[Stepdale]

Wow, Pavel, you come up with the neatest things! I like it and everything looks like original RK hardware to me. Where did you find this one?

And no, I won't be sending you a message to sell it as I know you hoard all of your Gablonz badges just like I do!
Dale

[pavels_2005]

Hi,

thanks for the interest. Here are some details of the hardware as requested.

Best regards
Pavel

[pavels_2005]

1

[pavels_2005]

2

[pavels_2005]

4

[Jeff V]

Just what I would expect. An amazing badge, congrats!

[fischer]

Hi Pavel

Very nice find...congrats on securing it.

One detail I find interesting is the lack of the crushed area around the breast feathers.
Usually on these pebbled examples there are indentations on the side of the breast plate.
I theorize this is caused by the pressure used when crimping the very small sheet metal hinge in place.

Maybe, as you state, this is the precursor to the standard pebbled variant before it was changed to another hardware set-up...all speculation of course.

Again, congrats!

Best Regards, fischer

[pavels_2005]

Hi,

I got the IAB from a guy that was selling a group of RK badges. He said the group was found in a house in Gablonz 30 yers ago. Of course I asked for more details hoping to get more info about the find location. Hoping to finally get more evidence if RK was Karneth or Kreisel. Unfortunately the house doesnt have any connection to any local manufacturer. Also no paperwork etc. was found together. The IAB came with other IAB (bronze grade - but it has the standard RK hardware), with RK PAB, with RK GAB and with unfinished RK minesweeper. Lets see the pictures of the other items.

What does it say to us? We can guess that this all items were made by one manufacturer - by RK. But the mystery who RK is, is still here.... :-)

Lets see more opinions.

Best regards
Pavel

[pavels_2005]

1

[pavels_2005]

2

[pavels_2005]

3