Pilot badge ....

[François SAEZ]

Constructive opinions are welcome, especially on the engraving

[François SAEZ]

2

[François SAEZ]

3

[François SAEZ]

4

[François SAEZ]

5

[François SAEZ]

6

[Mark S.]

Obviously the words were stamped in individually. What strikes me as odd, is that the font looks too modern. It looks like Times New Roman sort of.

When I did graphic design, I used to have font books, and this looks very familiar, but I cant place it exactly. Every commercial font is attributed to someone somewhere, and also dated. I wouldnt think something like this would be coming out of Germany though I know the Germans did have more than Fractur.

I also noticed that the words seem to go under the hinge, which leads me to think that the hinge wasnt there when it was stamped, and attached afterwards. Not the sort of thing you would expect to find on a commerative/name inscription of an issued Pilot badge from the era.

[Lorenzo Brown]

Well, it does look like Times New Roman, but I looked it up and found that Times New Roman first appeared in 1932 in The Times of London newspaper, for which it was designed.

The problem I have is with the hinge. Like Mark says, it looks like the hinge was absent when the engraving was done. Furthermore, the hinge doesn't look right to me...the material looks too thin. Maybe the badge was missing the hinge, and prior to restoration, somebody had it engraved as a keepsake.

[Tim Calvert]

The pin looks like its too long also.

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Francois,

I can only chime in, the font looks nothing like Third Reich era.

Cheers, Frank H.

[Jos L C]

Hi,
I also think the badge is a restored one,but I can't find the exact reason what's the story behind it.
Maybe the badge missed the hinge somehow and a jeweler restored it and first did the engraving not bothered by the hinge and catch ?
Maybe the badge was damaged and the recipient wanted it fixed and have the engraving done in one time?
I really don't know.
The hinge or what was left of it was professionaly removed seen in picture 4,then the engraving was done and after that a new hinge and catch were soldered on.
It's nicely done IMO.
Question:it seems like no tombak is visible in the engraving,so maybe the engraving was done before the plating was applied !!!
I think for this kind of engraving you've to remove the hinge and catch or order one without hinge and catch...
I've to think about it a little harder....I have no clue at the moment.


Jos.

[François SAEZ]

Thanks all for your constructive points - I have no clue nor story with it, so I listen carefully what you say

Again thanks for your valuable input

François

[Mark S.]

François, what are your thoughts on the badge?

[François SAEZ]

Here they are:

1 - the badge by itself is ok
2 - as you have noticed (like others) the engraving go under the hinge, which leads to think that the hinge wasnt there when it was stamped, and attached afterwards.
3 - The style of the engraving, well ...., I have no clue except now for what was said on Times New Roman
4 - The engraving, whatever it is postwar or not, is properly done.
Now,
I am not confused by the pin (too long) nor by the hinge.
Jos'question on tobak visible seems good in my opinion
I also note that I don't see the added value to engrave the badge to increase the value as P. Schulte is not RK nor DK - even if there is a Paul Schulte as Goblet winner. Nothing famous, not even the unit, anyway, when I got this badge, the engraving was not adding anything:

What I have at the end
A good Juncker pilot badge
A commemorative engraving possibly (or mostly if you prefer) done postwar. That is why I stay opened and try to find something logical.

François

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear all,

about the fact that no tombak is showing in the engraving lines:

If I, as the awardee of this badge would decide to "enhance" this badge at some point after the war (which is likely because of the font), I would not just enhance it´s personal value for me with that engraving, I would also make sure that the finish gets "refreshed" by that jeweller, especially after that engraving and reattachment of hinge and catch.

Cheers, Frank H.