Volksmarine Qualification Badges

[vacollector]

I found the the first and second series VM qualispange are hard to find. Has anyone else found them difficult to get?

[ehrentitle]

That's because the VM was a small organization. Very few of these early badges were made from 1960-63, less than 2,000 - 3,000 badges were made for each of they four types of badge associated with the VM. Because of this original first series VM badges are extremely hard to come by, unless you have deep pockets or are very lucky. I've been collecting VM for many years and have yet to come across an affordable original badge of this series.

Second series VM badges were produced for a much longer period of time 1962 to 1982 and much larger numbers, around 15,000, so they are available. They show up on E-bay.de on a regular basis. However they are also very pricy going anywhere from 60 Euros up to more than 100 Euros depending upon the age of the badge.

[ehrentitle]

I started a thread a few years back that provides some background info on VM badges. It can be found at: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=301290

[vacollector]

What will help identify the age of a second series VM qualispange?

[Fritz]

What will help identify the age of a second series VM qualispange?

Mainly the tone of the metal and the screw type used. Earlier ones are more gold colored and use the first type screw with "PRÄWEMA" screw plate whilst later ones have bronce tones and the more and more simplified screw types with plain screw plates. The very last type has a hollow reverse and uses a sloted head screw.

Cheers

[vacollector]

Got my VM I today!

[ehrentitle]

Congratulations! Great find. As I mentioned above these badges can be quite pricy costing nearly 100 Euros on e.bay.de. Can you post a photo of the back of the badge?