Help needed: Identify Imperial artillery badge

[cbuehler]

All,
I have no idea what this badge is or even if it is original. It is marked L Lerch Munchen.
Thanks much!
CB

[Brian L.]

Royal Bavarian Artillery School. Usually in gilded brass. Given that this is zinc and not gilded, it's likely late war.

[cbuehler]

Many thanks! I did some searching and found reference to the gild version, but nothing on the zinc. I had assumed zinc was limited to ww2, but apparently not? I also assume that this badge is not common?

CB

[Matthew]

zinc

I believe the version posted above used to have a gold gilt applied on top of the base zinc but as with most zinc badges over a long period of time- the base metal absorbed the gilt finish leaving a dark, dull appearance. That is why the back hardware still retains the gold color- probably made out of brass.
Also- zinc was not limited to WW2 badges either- there are examples of Imperial decorations made out of zinc with either silver or gold plating on top.
cheers
Matt