I don't know when the examples I acquired were actually produced, only of course that it was prior to 1990, and that they are not to be confused with the "Fake" ones people are talking about that are supposed to have been produced in the 90s. About these I am very much like Sergeant Schultz of Hogans Heroes - I know nothing.
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Michael D. GALLAGHER
M60-A2 Tank Commander Cold War proverb: “You can accomplish more with a kind word and a ‘Shillelagh’ than you can with just a kind word.” -
So basically the badges being sold by the dealer are no more then cheap knock offs. The NVA wouldn't have worn these at all. I wonder if the medals Order of the Red Banners and other items are reproduction also?Comment
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Maybe not the red banners as they showed up in large quantities in 1990.Originally posted by vacollector View Post
It's still cheaper to have an original as to produce a copy. A Dealer I know, bought 68.000 of them. Everything to worry about is the old, rare stuff what everybody wants to have. Like Divers, Paras, KVP MfS etc.Comment
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For what it's worth.
Here are pictures of all three badges, from top to bottom.
1st an original badge
2nd "soviet" badge
3rd reproduction badge allegedly made by PRÄWEMA for dealers with hard currency during the turnaround era (please understand that I say "allegedly" since I have no "inside knowledge").
Also to answer this question: That badge is the one for frogmen, normal divers had their own badge design.
The badge in the link is the "soviet" type.Comment
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Original back and screw.Comment
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"Soviet" back and screwComment
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Ca. 1990 reproduction back and screwComment
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In fact, originals do exist with a flat or a "hollow" back.Originally posted by ehrentitle View PostComment
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Thanks for the Info Fritz. Gowen also has good supporting evedence that the badges being sold on their site ARE of Soviet make. The sellers have been very upfront, I can't fault them.Comment
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Maybe somebody can ask the seller for a pic of the Back to end this discussion. For this Price, I don't believe the "Story".Comment
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That is not the question, the question is rather when these were made. That they were made by some soviet/ex-soviet source is without doubt, anyhow in my mind.Originally posted by vacollector View PostComment
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Yes, To me where they were made is not the issue, reguardless of where they were made, they are still copies. The impression given is that they are original period Soviet made, just sitting in a warehouse in Russia for over 50 years.Originally posted by Fritz View Post
The seller indicated that, These now scarce badges were made by the Soviets for their East German allies some four decades ago and then lost in a Soviet warehouse until rescued by our Russian agent. I'd be higly skeptical of that claim since they look like they are brand new. A badge that is 50 years old is going to have some signs of aging, at least some type of patina even if it had never been issued. It should also be compaired against Soviet badges of the 1960s period to see if the construction is the same.Last edited by ehrentitle; 03-10-2011, 07:40 AM.Comment
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No, a 50 year old badge can look like it had just left the factory. I have various 1960 Qualispangen that are stone mint with not the slightest patina. Others, however, are very worn and have lots of patina.Originally posted by ehrentitle View Post
Yes, that is correct and the screw + plate look like those used on 80s badges.Originally posted by ehrentitle View PostComment
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You are right, I just looked at some of the late 1980s Soviet academy and para badges that I purchased in Berlin and the screw plate, screw and the way the screw is soldered to the badge are nearly identical to the Russian made diver's badge you posted. The gold wash on the back is better applied on my Soviet badges and the badges themselves are all hallmarked with the same star that's on the screw plate.Originally posted by Fritz View PostComment
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