57' Armshields.

[Steve 5]

Gentlemen, a query I would like an answer to....Fullsize armshields, Kuban, Narvik, Crimea etc, why were they made as a 1957 spec replacement award as I have never seen them displayed on a Bundeswehr tunic, (or any where else come to think of it !) plenty on 57' ribbon bars as minis, but never attached to a sleeve ! ...and how does one spot a fake/repro as there are plenty of these awards on E-Bay, private and dealer offered....were they, as WW2 awards, offered in 57' spec complete with backing plate and cloth patch ? Thanks in advance for your time and knowledge.
S.L.

[Matthieu]

Good day Sir,

To my knowledge, I haven't come across a good shield with cloth attached.
They were indeed made in the 1957 version, but like you, have never seen them on a Bundeswehr uniform .

How to spot a good from a bad one .... with shield very difficult to judge.
I've owned just a couple of early ones. One way to spot a bad one is to check the solder on the backside pins.
If it show black solder instead of grey then its a modern made piece ( at least that is what I've been told ).

I hope the other lads might add something more useful to my comments .

Grtz
Mathijs

[speedytop]

Hi,

S.L.
Fullsize armshields, Kuban, Narvik, Crimea etc, why were they made as a 1957 spec replacement award as I have never seen them displayed on a Bundeswehr tunic, (or any where else ...

The German law from 1957 (Ordensgesetz) contains regulations in general. Not for the Bundeswehr, or the police or others.

It is the official matter of the organization, here the Bundeswehr, to regulate, what could be worn and what was not allowed.
The Bundeswehr decided, like the police and other organizations, not to allow the wear of specified decorations in the original size.

Ärmelbänder, Panzer- und Tieffliegervernichtungsabzeichen, Scharfschützenabzeichen und Kraftfahrbewährungsabzeichen sind zur Uniform im Original nicht zugelassen.

Therfore these 1957 "originals", pictured in the "Beilage" from 1958, had been only the model for the 16mm and 9mm miniatures.

Für das Aussehen der Verkleinerung und ihre Abmessungen sind die beim Bundesminsterium für Verteidigung vorliegenden Muster maßgebend

Uwe

[Steve 5]

Uwe, thanks for that reply, I understand. I intended to add some examples to my collection....but I may need to rethink that decision ! Prost ! Steve.