Imperial U-Boat Badge - Schott

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Hi guys,

I believe I have added my first Imperial U-Boat badge. It's a tombak Schott made piece. Comparing to other examples it looks right on based on pin and maker mark in particular. But as always, I wanted to double check first with you all just to be safe.

Thanks!

[Christopher G.]

Looks like a nice original to me as well...nice addition!

Chris G.

[Darrell]

Looks ok to me as well. The pin and hinge are known variants with the Schott badges. The more textbook would be more of a flatten wider type.

[Norm F]

I agree it looks good. It is, however, subtly different from most "classic" examples we've seen, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. I'm referring to the tendency for most examples to fit into two groups, Type 1 and Type 2 shown here:

1) Type 1 has a somewhat taller Snorkel, a round-wire main pin and a broad middle barrel on the hinge.
2) Type 2 has a somewhat shorter Snorkel, a flat-wire main pin and a narrow middle barrel on the hinge.

Yours sits intermediate between the Type 1 and Type 2 in both the height of the Snorkel and the width of the barrel.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

Further comparison.

[Norm F]

One more comparison. The main pin itself is also intermediate in appearance between the Type 1 and the Type 2. It lacks the usual striations, perhaps smoothed off during a cleaning at some point?

Also, typically you'll see longitudinal striations on the wire of the catch. Perhaps a closeup of the catch in question would be helpful to see if there's any sign of that.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

The maker mark looks pretty good but perhaps not as deep; the badge surface is smooth compared to untouched examples and there's a dark patina in the lettering that is not typical.

If this is an original, and it could very well be, it's not an untouched example in my opinion.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Blued]

Thanks for the help Norm, here are shots of the hardware

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last

[Norm F]

Hm...I have to admit, I'm not really liking the hardware comparisons. It's starting to look awfully like a dastardly clever reproduction to me...

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

And the margins are telling. Originals were cast and then hand filed but this badge doesn't show any convincing file marks.

I think this is a detailed cast reproduction that would fool just about anybody at a show, but closeup study reveals the deception.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Don D.]

I think Norm is on to something. I would pass on this one. There are too many textbook examples out there.

[Norm F]

For reference, here's Darrell's previous thread on the two types of Schott badge:
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=767564

Best regards,
---Norm