Fake Pilot Badge Alert!

[stogieman]

Here's what the new fakes look like at auction. This badge is FAKE! Note the lack of silver mark, but correct (copied now!!) maker mark & half moon. Note the VERY WRONG hinge. DON't let yourself be burned by these, they are filtering in everywhere!

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...category=34651

[Brian S]

Maybe a cast of an original? They got the deep dish right.

[stogieman]

Yes, these are cast from an original badge.

detail is good, but not perfect and a few spots glaringly deficent. here are scans of the same type of fake:

[stogieman]

Reverse!

Here's the back side:

[stogieman]

Very close....

... and some of the key features I used to look for are done perfectly. Until you hold it in hand and go, hey wait a minute..... as a casting, the badge is noticibly smaller in all dimensions!

[Rick Research]

Just to refresh my memory-- can you post a GOOD mark? Is the Moon All Alone SUPPOSED to be off to one side-- looks funny, I assume because the Naughty Mark that balanced it is missing.

And another thing folks--

real nice "SILVER" hallmark on a badge worn through to

(Homer Simpson noises ) BASE metal underneath.

A little less "age" next time, maybe?

[Bobby lee]

Here are the marks from my pilot badge.

[Rick Research]

So can we call these the "Moon Looking At Nuthin'" fakes?

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

There is another repro out there, much more dangerous though imo. It's also a good casting and slightly smaller than an original. It has the correct Juncker marking, with moon and 800 silver mark. The hinge is well done, very close to an original. The main pin differs in that it is more square than originals. The easiest way to identify it though is the catch region - the catches appear to be "repaired" and there is a stepped "crack" (horizontalish but curved) in the reverse of the badge. This crack has been cast in and I think was formed when either a damaged original badge was cast or an original badge was damaged when the fakers removed the catch. I've seen 1/2 dozen of the exact same type in the last couple of years. Here are some pics, I'm not sure where they came from. They might be from a friend who had one for several years thinking it was original.

Regards
Mike K

[Mike Kenny]

Reverse;

[Bobby lee]

Hi Mike, very useful scan. The hallmarks look good but the badge displays problems, other badges look good but the hallmarks have problems. I wonder what happens to those holding collections of badges when the fellow who makes good copies of the badge meets the guy who does well on the hallmarks? Does it become "We don't need no stinkin badges"? Another nail for the joy of collecting.