57 Luftwaffe Reconassance Clasp In Silver

[DavidM]

Hello

I have just got this 57 version of the Luftwaffe reconassance clasp. An exact match to the bronze version in my collection. This piece is from S&L.

As always, any comments or observations welcomed.

Regards
David

[DavidM]

Rear

[DavidM]

Side

[CSForrester]

Nice piece, i would say the 3rd variation from the late 1960/early 1970 years, if the eagles head is still a seperate part. The last version before Steinhauer made a break in production in the early 1980 years is made in one piece.

Regards Markus

[DavidM]

Hello

Thanks for the comments and information. I believe this is one of the ones the late 1960s, early 1970s.

Regards
David

[CSForrester]

Hello David,

it the Eagles head and clasp are one piece, i think it should be the last period end of the 1970 years.
I for myself make a differece between:

1st period, late 1950 years:
massive hinge, narrow flat catch, flat struck needle like an original before 1945, soldered to the hinge, the symbol riveted or soldered.
(Sorry, no example of a reconnaissance clasp)

[CSForrester]

2nd period, late 1950 and early 1960 years:
also solid hinge but modern type of needle, narrow flat catch, symbol (here the eagles head) soldered to the center.

[CSForrester]

3rd period, mid 1960 up to early 1970 years:
as before, but the hinge is made from a folded sheet of metal and the catch is wider than before.

[CSForrester]

4rth period end of 1970 years:
as before, but one-piece-made, the symbol is not seperate but a part of the clasp, the center is more flat.
Can anyone confirm my thoughts ?
Markus

[George L]

Markus, great job on showing those differences! Can you post a front and reverse shot of the earliest example, please?

[CSForrester]

Hello George,

as you can see it is a golden Close Combat Clasp Luftwaffe, Eagle with grenade and bayonet is fixed with two hollow rivets. I habe send pics to Peter for his coming book, if he agree, he may post the pictures here.
Thanks and regards
Markus

[DavidM]

Hello

Many thanks for the pictorical time line. I would slightly disagree, (and it is only slightly), with your time line though, based on discussions with other 57 colectors and bits I have read and seen - although at the end of the day without any hard evidence at this point it is all personal opinion and conjecture. Based on what I have read and been told by a few collectors of the 57 pieces, I tend to use the following timeline:

1957 to about 1967 = Early (good quality)
1968 to about 1975 / 76 = Mid (good /reasonable quality)
1976 onwards = Late (poor to awful quality)

The other really important factor to take account of is the quality of the item. Most of the 57 badges really declined in both production quality and finish from around the mid 1970's onwards, (just look at the final versions of the EKs, RKs etc from S&L in the late 1970's early 1980s before production ceased). So on this basis I'd place my piece shown here as a mid production item.

Looking at the hinges that you have shown, I too have always thought the solid hinges were from the early production pieces. However, a couple or so months ago in this forum, an EK1 was posted which had the type of hinge that you show as being the 'third and fourth' period. It turned out that the date that this EK was bought by the veteran was known, and was, if memory serves, 1964. So from this, and from other items I have seen where there is some, or all of the history of the piece known has made me start to re-think on the timline for the hinges. I'll find the thread on here with the EK1 in it and I'll add on to the end of this post.

Could you please post a full front and rear photo of your reconassance badges from the thrid and fourth period please. Many thanks.

Regards
David

Edit. Here is the link to thread on here where the EK1 as mentioned above is shown. http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...=189965&page=2 Note the hinge and pin set up, and the style of both the hinge and pin.

[CSForrester]

Hello David,

here all three clasps oberse:

[CSForrester]

and reverse:
Note: the small circle on the eagles head appears sometimes on top or bottom. In my opinion the reverse-tool was used unregulary turned 180° . May be the first version was riveted and this was the position for the rivet.

[Peter Wiking]

I created a new thread for the excellent information and photos on the former producers of 1957 awards: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=218444

Peter