Navy Observer Badge

[Fred Borgmann]

Now here is one that I really like. It is lightly gilded or plated bronze, solid construction with cut out crown top. There is a flat spot on the eagle's shoulder resulting from pressure when the makers mark was stamped into the reverse. Your comments and obserations are welcome. Also at this point I should state that I am not parading my badges here to sell them. I just wish to share them with you and with your help confirm or put to rest some of my long held doubts. Thanks, Fred

[Fred Borgmann]

Here is the reverse with the makers mark "GLASER & SOHN DRESDEN"

[jaba-the-hunt]

I suppose not a period isued badge (<1921) but a piece made after that. Maybe late 20s or 30s. Have seen this kind of observer some times at several dealers.

Note so detailed like the period bagdes i seen.

Regards Alex

[jaba-the-hunt]

Now i realize that it is marked. I know this badge only unmarked. Years ago i had one.

Regards Alex

[Ferg 1]

I have also seen several of these badges and am not convinced that they are period or even post war. I have not seen an example with the MM of Glaser or any other maker for that matter. There was a time a year or so ago when three or so dealers all had one of these around the same time all had the exact same patina and wear, coincidence......... maybe but having looked at several I rather fall on the side of caution. Ferg1.

[Ferg 1]

Also I think that the flattened area on the eagle is probably due to being banged or dropped rather than flattened by the MM being applied. Ferg1.

[jaba-the-hunt]

Hi Fergus,

i know one of this navy observer badge engraved on the back came from a proof source. It's not identical but the same manufacture. The same crown, eaagle and clouds but more detailed. Thats why i called it post WW1.

Regards Alex

[Ferg 1]

so there could be more than one die for this badge ?

[Fred Borgmann]

so there could be more than one die for this badge ?

Yes, if there were more makers than only one. As to the age of this badge I can only add that I bought it from a New York State dealer at a Milwaukee gun and militaria show in 1975. The flat spot on the eagle's shoulder could only be from the maker's name being stamped on the reverse since it is in the correct position and is the highest point of the obverse design. There is no way one could drop this badge so perfectly that only this flat spot would result. I have handled enough counterstamped coins over the last 35 years to be sure of that.

[Fred Borgmann]

Hi Fergus,

i know one of this navy observer badge engraved on the back came from a proof source. It's not identical but the same manufacture. The same crown, eaagle and clouds but more detailed. Thats why i called it post WW1.

Regards Alex

If the badges you saw were struck with the same die you could still get varying degrees of detail depending on the press pressure used at the time the badges were struck. Another factor would be die wear and grease build up. There are many reasons why the press pressure can and does vary especially if these small makers used a manual press for small manufacturing runs.

[jaba-the-hunt]

I should say that the engrave badge had another pin and hinge. the pin and hinge on your doesn't look good to me. I don't say taht is identical. I mean more the same style and same details. But the details are deeply and better.

Like Fergus said nobody can definitly say when this badges were made but we can compare with known period badges and the kind of manufature at this time. And yours IMO not match.

Regards Alex