unmarked numbered General Assault Badge

[helmutderpa]

What do you think about this one ?

Thanks for your constructive help.

[helmutderpa]

Back

Tell me if you need more pics.

[Jeff V]

Hi Simon, this is an interesting piece of a design I am not familiar with. This does not match any of the accepted original grade 4 GAB's. However I see some things that don't look too bad, so I can't say for sure it is a fake. I also see some things I don't like. For sure not one that I would buy. best wishes,
jeff

[helmutderpa]

Thanks

Thank you for your feedback.
I appreciate.
For me, a good thing is the patina : does not look artificially aged (but who knows?).
A bad thing is that the pin look skiny compared to known original (but never seen does not mean fake!). The rivets looks too small also.

Do you share my point of view regarding these details?

This badge is mine. I've just been given it by my father.

[redfaced]

I am absolutely no expert - but, if this badge is a fake - it's a bloody good one! I hope it turns out a good one for you.

[Jeff V]

Hi Simon, there are needle pins that are original. The problem is the original badges with neeedle pins are semi-hollow in design, not solid back. Also the eagle on even the original JFS solid backs has some scooping to the reverse in the grenade and bayonet handle. Yours is completely flat.
I also notice some softness in the reverse on the edges of the wreath. Can you look closely and see if the wreath was hand filed around the edges or if it looks like the wreath may have been cast. best wishes,
jeff

[Bob Hritz]

I have also seen a badge like this and have been trying to buy it for over 30 years. i believe they are original.

Bob Hritz

[Bob Hritz]

Helmut,

Can you post a photo of a side view to see the thickness.

Thank you,
Bob Hritz

[Jeff V]

I have also seen a badge like this and have been trying to buy it for over 30 years. i believe they are original.

Bob Hritz

Hi Bob, thanks for the insight! I was hoping someone else would be able to help on this piece. best wishes,
jeff

[helmutderpa]

Side view

Here is a side view picture.
Thanks Bob for your help.
Jeff, I'm sorry I didn't understand what to look for exactly, please explain and that would be your 2000th!!

redfaced, thanks a lot for your kind words.

[Jeff V]

Hi Simon, I would be happy to explain with my 2000th post. When a badge like this is die-forged the reverse of the wreath will have sharp edges on it. Sometimes, the badges are left with crisp sharp edges but in many cases a file will be used to bevel and deburr the edges of the wreath. This bevelling can be easily seen on the reverse and close examination will usually show file marks.
Castings by the fakers on the other hand, usually do not have a crisp sharp reverse. The bevelling can be seen on them as well, however it is from the casting process and not be hand filing. This shows up as a soft edge. I hope this helps.
Any history with the badge? best wishes,
jeff

[helmutderpa]

Ok

Jeff, I think I caught what you explained but I do not feel able to judge by myself. I am not so familiar with badges (only got the common ones till recently).
I will take close up view and post it so that you have a chance to check it.

About history of this badge : my father has decided recently to share a portion of his collection between his sons and I took the WWII german stuff. There are in the lot two badges bought together by him on a fleamarket for approx. 150 $ about 5 to 10 years ago. When he described me at that time on the phone what he bought (he is more a WWI german headgear man), I simply thought he had been caught just like a rookie...
Seeing the badges some time after, I waited for them to be mine.
The second one I posted on the wound badge forum. Till now nobody answered to my request for help but is just someone able to help me on that one?

Take a look and you will understand.

Thanks a lot for your precious help.

[helmutderpa]

more pics

Top of the badge

[helmutderpa]

Close up of the side

Frank and Lorenzo, would you please give me your opinions?

[Thomas Bendixen]

Hi Simon

I like this badge alot and think that it might be an original badge.

1) I like the guilding
2) The details and fitting of the eagle
3) The needle and hinge is known from the Bandenkampfabzeichen and other badges
4) Why should the fakers make a whole new design and sell one of (it is the first one I've seen) at a low price in a fleamarcket!
5) The badges wreath, when seen from the side, looks like its not completely flat but curves
6) From the pics I think I can see filemarks - can you confirm this?
7) fakers like to put in makermarks to enhance the price

Well I know that not one of my observations seals this case. When you reach this level in collecting the fakers can put a lot of energy into the faking of highend badges and the collector will not have a lot of "vet" aquired badges to compare with. What I'm trying to say is that you will in this stage need to study more and rely more on your own feelings/knowlegde. I will give this a Would I throw 4000 Euros after it - i dont know!

Cheers Thomas