My first 57er - VWA in Gold

[Glider]

Today i got my first 57er badge. Its a Gold VWA.

I take a look in the Forum and now i belive its a St.&L. piece.

I payed 15€ for it and i hope this was not to bad.

[Borzadow]

15 euro is a good price !!!
IMO it is late S&L indeed. I've got simillar.

Nice shot for a first time

[Nigel N]

Good price for a nice GWB!
S&L, depends on your point of view as to what time period you classify it?
I think I would class it as mid period?? But nice piece anyway!!!
-Nigel

[Glider]

Thank you both!

What means "mid period" - i didnt know much about 57er badges.

Thanks for your help!

[Seewolf]

That is a good early S&L GWB, IMO about beginning 60s.

Friends, don´t think it´s later because of the hollow back and wide pin ....... i have a similar one in an untouched grouping, directly from the vet.

See here and compare with the other awards who are ALL very early to early.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=435190

BTW ........ great GWB

[Nigel N]

Hi Rudiger!
I thought it might be nearer mid 60's because of the large round headed hinge-pin, but whatever the exact date, for sure its not a late one!!
-Nigel

[Seewolf]

Hi Rudiger!
I thought it might be nearer mid 60's because of the large round headed hinge-pin,
-Nigel

Why not ?
I don´t think that my guy bought all pieces at the same time ..... so latest mid 60s is a good date.

Good to see a very nice S&L GWB again

[Nigel N]

Good to see a very nice S&L GWB again

Indeed it is!!!!!!!!
-Nigel

[Skyhawk]

Hi All,

Interesting thread and very nice GWB presented by Glider! I hope to eventually add an earlier piece such as the one shown. The GWB I have is the open hinge block variety and I would guess early 70s vintage? I am posting for comparative purposes.

Best,

Jeff

[Tony T-S]

That's a beautiful example in gold. 15 euro is a really good price. Most in that condition are being offered for twice that.

[Steve 5]

Jeff, you are correct on the period of manufacture of your Wound badge (late 60's/early 70's) although a late production piece i.e. after 1968 with open hinge assembly it sports the "big" hinge pin which is not that often found on later pieces.........Just a pointer on the St u L versions.............mid production and late production badges are very similar and can be confusing........here I show the two side by side, although they both use the same die stamped badge the hardware is different, although at first glance appearing the same......later badges always have an open hinge block, mid, closed...the "C" catch is smaller on the mid, the pin is always longer on the mid being the first pattern tapered pin, the late has a shorter pin and is the third pattern tapered pin, this construction is the same on all grades of the later wound badges, as the black became a solid backed badge, late badges have a "dot" below the "C" catch which in my view is an indicator for the assembler as to where to solder the catch ! ...........the above are text book descriptions,be aware there can be found with various combinations of catches, pins and hinge assemblies...... as I have found out whilst collecting these little blighters !
mid production badge on left, late production badge on right, note my mid production shown is a so called "double catch" variant.
Prost ! Steve.

[Glider]

Thanks all for the interesting news and thanks Steve for showing your badges!

Maybe i will now collect 57er to - as addition to my WW1 and WW2 collection

[Tom B]

Just had a chance to look at it. Yes, very nice example !! Tom

[Skyhawk]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the great analysis! I certainly learned something new. I had never noticed the small "dot" below the catch on the later production wound badges. Thanks again for the thorough explanation.

Best,

Jeff

[Nigel N]

Agreed, excellent analysis Steve!!!!!!
-Nigelclap5.gif