Unmarked Funcke (F&BL) IAB Mystery

[zachb]

I have a marked F&BL – L/56 IAB and what is purportedly an unmarked F&BL Infantry Assault Badge. The unmarked IAB concerns me, especially when juxtaposed to my marked L/56. Below are pictures of the unmarked badge, which I’m starting to wonder if it is genuine? In searching through threads I noticed that unmarked badges, like mine, seem to be accepted as original. The most blatant distinguishing characteristic between the marked and unmarked Funcke IAB seems to be what I am calling a “seam” through the outside acorn beneath the bayonet. Is this an accepted original? Did I miss the discussion on unmarked Funcke IABs? Am I being paranoid. Are there genuine unmarked F&BL IABs without the seam and other characteristics? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Best Regards, Zach

Threads with unmarked F&BL and “acorn seams” accepted as original:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ghlight=funcke

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ghlight=funcke

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ghlight=F%26BL

Front of my unmarked F&BL IAB

Copy and reduced front.jpg

[zachb]

Back of my IAB

Copy and reduced back.jpg

[zachb]

[ATTACH]1209879[/ATTACH]

[zachb]

[ATTACH]1209880[/ATTACH]

[zachb]

Detail of reverse, are these dimples/pocks not indicative of poor casting?

Copy and reduced pocks.jpg

[zachb]

The "seam" in the acorn, note how this apparent casting flaw runs down into the leaf below. This seam, the strange color, lack of detail of the leaves near the rifle butt, craters/pock marks, etc., are all characteristics of what I see of other unmarked L/56 badges here on the forum:

Copy and reduced acorn.jpg

[zachb]

Here is what appears to be some unmarked F&BL IABs without the seam (see pic/post 5):

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...%26BL+unmarked

IAB "on the left":

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...%26BL+unmarked

[Graeme]

Hi Zach

Thanks for posting IMO a very interesting thread. I have never noticed the flaw that you have highlighted.

Firstly, the badges you provided links to, have a mix of good pics and bad, and I clearly like a couple of the badges but would not want to make definite calls on a couple of the others.

There is no reason why a flaw did not materialise on the original die at some stage and that the badges you pointed out are all originals. But I do understand your concerns with the detail, "look", pitting etc of your badge. In fact I am not too keen on the acorns, rifle butt and a few other areas. Can you post larger scans.

Lets get some more info on yours if possible, accurate dimensions, height, width, eagle wingspan, and weight. Also close up shots of the areas you said lacked detail, the more the merrier.

I have several marked and unmarked badges and do not have the flaw on any.

I will post an unmarked badge to show how good the details on these badges should be, and for you to compare to.

I will be away until tuesday, and will revisit the thread then.

regards
Graeme

[Graeme]

reverse

[Graeme]

eagle

[zachb]

Thanks Graeme for discussing this with me. BTW, here is another thread with an unmarked L/56 with the "acorn seam" very similar to mine:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ghlight=l%2F56

I have dimensions for both my unmarked L/56 (under discussion here) and my marked L/56. Please note that both the scales that I had available and the measuring device (wooden ruler) are very rudimentary, so all values are approximate.

Dimensions for the Unmarked Badge (under discussion):

Height=62.5 mm
Width =47 mm
Eagle Width=20 mm
Weight=36 g

Dimensions for the Marked L/56

Height=63 mm
Width=47 mm
Eagle Width=20mm
Weight=38 g

I will get some more pictures posted soon.

Best Regards, Zach

[zachb]

Here are some more pictures. First is the area around the Rifle butt, i.e., oak leaf lacking stippling:

Copy of IMG_0996_edited.jpg

[zachb]

Reverse with better pictures of casting flaws?

Copy of IMG_1001_edited.jpg

[zachb]

Catch:

Copy of IMG_1002_edited.jpg

[zachb]

Reverse:

Copy of IMG_1006.jpg