GWL U-Boot badge opinions requested

[PaulChep]

I just picked this up and would like any opinions.

[PaulChep]

back

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi Paul,

Looks really nice and original too.

Best regards,
Tom

[Mike Kenny]

For me it has the same appearance as an example I owned that turned out to be a well cast fake. The finish was also one of the indicators, and this finish from these pics look the same.

Regards
Mike

[John R.]

I believe it is probably OK, please give us the width, height, wingspan and weight in mm and gms.

Problem is that this one has been faked to a fairly high standard. However, the wear looks good to me.

Higher resolution images would also help. John

[John R.]

For me it has the same appearance as an example I owned that turned out to be a well cast fake. The finish was also one of the indicators, and this finish from these pics look the same.

Regards
Mike

What other indicators are you seeing here Mike? John

[Mike Kenny]

The rough fine sandpaper effect to the obverse and reverse in areas with AND without finish. I also see some weak obverse detail in the bridge/keel areas.

Maybe bigger/better pics will help.

Once burned, twice shy - the GWL U-boat castings are VERY good.

Regards
Mike

[John R.]

As I discussed about 2 years ago, this GWL fake is pretty good IF it had been roughed up a bit. It shows the sandpaper effect, etc.

So the close up high resolution images of the badge in question would help.

Without that, it is a big maybe.

John

[John R.]

Fake Gwl.

[John R.]

Fake Gwl 2

[Tom Yanacek]

As I discussed about 2 years ago, this GWL fake is pretty good IF it had been roughed up a bit. It shows the sandpaper effect, etc.

So the close up high resolution images of the badge in question would help.

Without that, it is a big maybe.

John

Hi John,

Thanks for posting those pictures. I agree with you that the badge you show is fake. However, the badge that started this thread still looks good, in my opinion. Even though the pictures are small, there is no comparison between the amount of detail present on that badge and the one you show. I also agree that measurements would be a big help. More so than bigger pictures. I have a couple GWLs, so I will dig them out and post some measurements of what I believe are originals. It may take a day or so as they are secured at another location.

Paul: Could you please post some measurements?

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

The area circled in red below seems to be really messed up on the fake.

[John R.]

The measurements should be:

Width: 48.6 mm
Height: 39.2 mm
Weight: 18 gr

John

[Tom Yanacek]

Thanks John! Did you ever get measuremennts of that fake?

[PaulChep]

The measurements are dead on. Now I will say where I got this from. Years ago I acquired a Kriegsmarine dagger with a name on the scabbard. The name is H. Jäger. Through the U-Boot archive in Germany I was put in touch with the officer's brother. Over the last 6-7 years we have become very friendly. I have even visited his home in Germany. Several years ago my friend gave me his brother's mine sweeper badge. His brother was awarded, after his death on U660, the EK2 and U-Boot badge. My friend only recently located it in the attic of the house where his family lived and where he now lives. It was stored on a box with silverwear. The EK and U-Boot badge have not seen the light of day for over 60 years.