1957 West German parachute badges query

[achern]

Dear Guys,

I have a question regarding these West German parachute badges.

First off, an Assmann with the hinge on one side:


Then, another Assmann with the hinge on the other side:


and finally, another Assmann with 4 prongs:


Do you think they are all genuine badges?

Are they officer or NCO badges? I heard that one is supposed to be silver, and the other a darker silver or bronze in colour.

Thanks for all your comments!

[Uncle Kurt]

Hi,
these are beautiful original Abzeichren.
Intressant I find the two hinge types :-)
For the paratroopers of the armed forces there were and there is no difference in color for the officers or NCOs.
The badges can even be bought?

regards
Kurt

[achern]

Dear Kurt,

Yes, these badges can still be bought today, although they are not very cheap, but at a reasonable price.

Over the years, I managed to find several variants of it, but I was not sure if they are all genuine or not.

These three represent the three main types of badges that I have.

There is one by Steinhauer and Luck that I have not yet received, but when it arrives I will post a picture of it.

[Gordon Craig]

Achern,

Interesting badges. Especially the onewith the four prongs. I doubt that it would have been worn on a uniform. Perhaps froma salesman's sample board?

Regards,

Gordon

[achern]

Hi Gordon,

I am not sure when the prongs were used on the badge, or whether it was actually used on a uniform.

But I have come across several of these badges, by both Assmann and S&L.

Also, there was another forum member who posted a picture of his badge with prongs too, some time back. Let me see if I can dig it up.

[achern]

Here is one, posted by Mike:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...a+badge&page=4

and one more:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...highlight=para

[Collectinsteve]

heh... I remember that discussion

Steve

[Gordon Craig]

achern,

Thanks for bringing up these previous posts. Like Steve, I remember them now that I've looked at them again. Something else to put in the "research" book!
I doubt very much that they would have been worn on a uniform. Their exact purpose will be revealed in time I am sure. TJs posting of the plaque from Manions with the French para wings points towards another possible use for these wings. On a commemorative plaque?

Regards,

Gordon

[achern]

Yes, I am sure somebody out there knows why these prongs were attached to these badges. There are, apparently, quite a few of these badges out there.

Why would Assmann make a run of badges with prongs? If they were salesman samples, they would be quite rare. Evidently, they are not that rare.

This badge was only used for one year, 1957-58. How many plaques could have been given out in that year to justify making a large run of these badges?

Why could these pronged badges not be used on uniforms? They could be easily attached by making two small holes in the shirt, just like with screwback awards, but it would ruin the shirt.

I am not able to think out of the box. Can anybody help?

p.s. These prongs call to mind the Hungarian parachute badges. All of them had flexible prongs on the back, albeit of a different kind, but still prongs.

[Collectinsteve]

Very strange. To me it is most similar to things that would be pinned to a static piece of cloth, like an awards display case backing. Putting holes into the backing isn't a problem.

Steve