Bomber clasp in bronze

[George1959]

Bomber clasp in bronze. An early sign? Your opinion.

[Matthieu]

I'm afraid a modern piece .... has the open hinge block and narrow wire catch ....

[Tom C.]

definatly a modern peice interesting to see it still has the S&L circle/mark

best regards
tom

[Nigel N]

I suppose it depends what you call a modern piece? For me this looks 70's, and ok for a later piece???
-Nigel

[LuckyLuudje]

Nice clasp.
IMO S&L from the late sixties.

[Nigel N]

Nice clasp.
IMO S&L from the late sixties.

Could well be that early Luud!! Finish looks pretty good!!!
-Nigel

[xmember]

Then you have the question about what Mike brought up that concerns the two piece center. This looks like a two piece center and would mean a piece made prior to 63. Please let me know if I didn't understand what Mike said.

Rudy

[Mike Yokum]

You understood me correctly Rudy. As I had said previously, I had been told that by an older German collector and most of what he told me has been proven out over time.

This clasp definitely defies that theory though doesn't it? Or maybe not. It definitely has a two piece center. The quality of the strike on the oaks and wreath, as well as the "O" mark speak to early construction. Perhaps these elements were leftover from an earlier period and had later hardware attached prior to finishing sometime in the late 60's or even into the 70's. We see timeline anomalies frequently in 57er pieces and IMO, we're seeing one here.

[George1959]

If I understand correctly, is an early sign of later closure?

[Nigel N]

Hi George!!
Yes, i think its a clasp that is made up of older parts, assembled around the late 1960's!!
-Nigel

[Tom C.]

2 questions
can someone explain to me how the eagle is attached on these clasps is it glue??
2nd how do you tell the difference between the late 60s mid 70s as in my eyes the pins seem to change constantly in style i think we need a thread just for later made ones

best regards
tom

[Nigel N]

You are right about a few things there Tom!!
There are a few pins styles between mid 60's and mid 70's, but more importantly IMO, is that pieces from the late 60's/ early 70's are often overlooked!
I know the quality is'nt as good as the early pieces, but there are still some nice badges and medals from that time period, and a lot were still vet bought, not just for the collectors market!
Personally, i think its a little unfair to dismiss an S&L piece just because it has an open hingeblock and thick catch, theres still a huge difference i think between pieces from around 1970, and the later/modern junk???
I honestly think some years down the line, these late 60's/early 70's pieces will become more collectable, and desirable....maybe!!!!!!!!
They are all part of the postwar/ 57er story!!!
Going back to the pin styles, a thread on those would be good!!
-Nigel

[George1959]

Colleagues, thank you all for your answers!

Best regards,
George