Lock down puzzles

[Ferg 1]

Seeing as we ,or most of us ,are in a semi lock down status I thought it might be good karma and interesting to have members post a few puzzling items that they have that defy common sense or logic . Might be nice to have a few brainstorming threads to exorcise a few lateral ideas ?
I will start by posting this Juncker observer badge ,original 800 silver example but has a later central plaque with pebbled backing . Not so odd I hear you say , replacement for damaged original . OK , how about the removal of standard crown and replaced with non standard piece , why? ? Pin and hinge too has been changed , reverse of crown remodelled too. Answers please ! And your head scratchers too.
Ferg

[Ferg 1]

No one ? I guess everybody is happy with jigsaws and knitting !
Ferg

[VtwinVince]

I've been scratching my head over that one.It makes absolutely no sense, but is obviously of the period. Perhaps something created as a Frankenstein by a worker at Juncker?

[Bob Hritz]

Conversion from Bavarian?

Bob Hritz

[otter76]

You can always get that one specimen out of a private jeweller repair... and it's mystery then ever after

[Ferg 1]

Hi Bob, that could be a point I hadn’t considered. Juncker conversions from a Prussian crown to a Bavarian are rare but do exist . Perhaps for a reason we will never know this was one of those Bav conversions originally that was then later changed back . The crown is certainly not a Juncker one nor any I can ID so not done by the original makers hand which would point to a jeweller second alteration maybe . That’s got me thinking !
Ferg

[Ferg 1]

Here is another head scratcher . Original screw fitting observer by Meybauer .
Gilded ?? The fire gilding is old , reverse shows signs of screw disc rubbing ( missing ) so obviously worn with this gilded finish .Anyone ?
Ferg

[Hagrid]

Hi Ferg!
The lockdown is really bugging you - isn´t it?
Since gilded pieces always yell : "Navy!" in my head on first thought, but this is the army-version, it occurs to me that an army observer was transferred or did temporary service in a navyflyer unit without having the additional qualifications for the naval badge.
Meybauer pieces being private purchase, he might have had one made to match the dark blue uniform...
Or we have to deal with a dandy type of officer who wanted to show of a little by having a special variation of his badge, similar to the cutout version shown here:
https://www.weitze.net/militaria/84/...g__234884.html

(The Weitze page is worth a second look on some of the flyers badges in the moment )

Regards
Hagrid

[VtwinVince]

I'm going with Hagrid on this one, I think it's an 'aufgewertetes' piece, as you see on Imperial medal bars where common medals have been gilded by the recipient.

[Ferg 1]

Yes Hagrid, I am not someone who can sit around a lot ,especially inside ! Luckily we have a nice big garden so am enjoying the sunshine ☀️.
Both you and Vince are making sense with this one . I bought it from the Kassel show many years ago ,the dealer told me it was from a split up grouping belonging to an officer on board a marine zeppelin and said he would find a few other pieces that belonged to this man but it never happened. I took the story with a pinch of salt but liked the badge and knew the gilding was not recent or new . Maybe the story has a few grains of truth after all ! Thanks guys
Ferg

[ccj]

I really like the first one, odd as it may be.