1957 U-boat badge?

[Frosch]

After trawling through many (if not all) of the old threads referring to the U-boat badge, I have come to the conclusion that this badge:

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...ayphotohosting

is a 1957 piece made by S&L, which would certainly justify the auction description that it is "guaranteed old".

Am I right or is it some sort of nasty fake that is waiting to be snapped up by the unwary?

If it is a 1957 item, what is a typical price?

Who else is offering 1957 Imperial items on a regular basis?

Thanks in advance for your comments,

David

[Doug See]

I've seen these so-called "1957" Imperial pieces. Keep in mind that even 1939 "1957" pieces were never issue pieces and just about anyone could buy them. As I understand it, the German government passed the 1957 law simply to give tacit approval to the wearing of Third Reich awards without swasticas; no '57 awards or badges were ever really issued. The 1957 law was never meant to address Imperial awards since there is no swaz involved on them. The "'1957" Imperial pieces are simply reproductions made for collectors. Calling them 1957 gives them a sort of crdibility that really doesn't exist. It's like in the USA; anyone can go into an "army surplus" store, where they sell army surplus tents, 1980's web gear, and camping gear. There's usually a section of the store where you can buy any US medal or badge you want--some are surplus govt. issue, but a lot of them are just repros cranked out for the kids and collectors. That's my opinion of "1957" pieces. I don't see any value in them as collectors pieces. Just my cranky ole' opinion.