57 para badge MM question

[paddywhack]

got a nice army 57 para badge maker maked 41 for Gebruder Bender, Oberstein,did this maker make this type of 57 badge? or was it just the noramal makers? heres some pics!

[paddywhack]

and just for fun the front!!any help is grate!!

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Paddy, this looks like a crudely cast eagle on a crude dip-wreath (a common repro wreath). I don't know what the 41 mark means, but why would an "unknown" maker of Para badges be putting LDO markings (which are rare on LW awards anyway) on a post-45 badge? Don't get me wrong, there are LDO marks found on SOME early high quality EK1s/2s (assumed to be left over wartime stock) - neither high quality or left-over stock applies in this case though. Sorry, but for me it looks like a crude repro being passed off as a 57er.

Regards
Mike K

[paddywhack]

that was the thing! iv never seen this maker make para badges though why would some one make a repo 57 award when there in nnnnnnnnoooooooo way rare,anyone else think its a repo? (and dont worry mike i take it if its a repo!! )

[Henri S]

I tend not to agree, Mike. I have several maker marked luftwaffe 1957 awards with a similar wreath and marked 41. My theory is that LDO must have produced the wreath for the 1957 luftwaffe awards and army paratrooper. Here are a few pictures

Observer

[Henri S]

obverse of observer.

[Henri S]

A pilot award is shown here, but I also have both army and luftwaffe para, glider with the same marking and also maker marked from a different maker on the eagle.

[paddywhack]

i toke a good look at the eagle and its not cast but has die strike marks on the side of it! the one thing about 57 awards is that they can have a very "stay bright" appearance about them! robin lumsden also say so in his book so i reckon by what im seeing on the badge and by what henri has said it just looks like a 70s/80s 57 para badge! just my opion though!!! thanks!