U-Boat Badge for Review

[nathanhogle]

Hi guys. I was hoping that you could take a look at this badge for me and let me know what you think. I don’t know how I feel about it. All opinions are appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[Norm F]

Hi Nathan,

Sorry to say I'm not a fan of this badge. This obverse design was used by Souval, Wiedmann and the unknown "flatback" maker. This is definitely not a Wiedmann or a "flatback", nor is it a wartime Souval. I don't think it's a casting but my best guess is a post-war Souval with a reattached hinge and a completely replaced catch.

The discoloration from re-soldering the hardware is apparent. Furthermore whoever replaced the catch appears to have been imitating the look of a Wiedmann catch - perhaps to try to make an "unmarked Wiedmann"?

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

Here's another example of one of these, previously posted by Jan Arne, but with a different replacement catch.

[Norm F]

The variably shaped cutouts under the sub can be explained by the fact that these were produced with that area solid which then had to be cut out by hand. Note this example has the classic Souval post-war catch.

Best regards,
---Norm

[nathanhogle]

Thanks for your help Norm. I was wondering some of the same things. I did notice the soldering discolouration and flipped through a reference book with no luck. Much appreciated!

[BubbaZ]

I agree, this one does not look good...
Cheers,
Hubert