'43' marked Luft Pilot-Observer Badge---real?

[Hugh W. Brock]

Weitze has an "early, thin Pilot/Observer badge, brass, marked 43" on the back, supposedly made between 1936 and 1939 when he says the company in Zella-Mehlis went out of business. It is really finely finished. However 43 is a Presidial Chancellery # and they didn't come in until 1941. I have no experience with these. Does anyone know (have had one that they knew) if it is a post-war piece or not?

[Jos L C]

Hello,
Although in the Luftwaffe stuff for quite some time I've never heard of this mark on a Flyersbadge.
About a month ago I've seen a 43 marked Pilotsbadge at another dealer.
I'm curious about this one.
François asked a while ago if someone knew the makersmark "Deutschbein" on a Flyersbadge,nobody answered or knew the answer,I'm afraid this 43 mark is also one in the "grey" area.(?)
Again I'm curious in this one too.
Regards,
Jos.

[François SAEZ]

Would somebody be kind enough to send me the pic(s) or to give me the link.
François

[mmiller]

TMC
Have you no computer skills, or are you feeling lazy today.

I hope this link works.

A Coca-Cola Boy

http://www.weitze.net/onload/fotos/1242.jpg
http://www.weitze.net/onload/fotos/1242/1242_1.jpg
http://www.weitze.net/onload/fotos/1242/1242_2.jpg

[ 11 December 2001: Message edited by: mmiller ]

[Lorenzo Brown]

Here's a scan for the "super lazy".
Interesting badge. Just based on the scan I think it looks pretty good. Details on the eagle look pretty good and the finish looks correct. But notice the peculiar looking talons. Also, it looks like the catch is soldered to a plate...strange for an early buntmetal badge.


[ 11 December 2001: Message edited by: Lorenzo ]

[François SAEZ]

Hey girls,
I am at work and no address with me.

[mmiller]

TMC-

Hubba - Hubba

[Tim Calvert]

I've seen this ugly eagle also marked with an "A", pilot's version. Not a good sign.

[mgidhagen]

I have seen this kind of eagle on several pilot and pilot/observer badges, most of them clearcut fakes. Among the (wartime) maker marks found on these badges are Assmann, Paul Meybauer and BSW, but they are also found marked with "DAVG" and other fictitous maker marks. I will post a few pics below; I apologize for the size... Notice the "cap" to the eagle's head, the strange talons and the swastika which seems to be askew compared to the eagle. Many of the badges I have seen also featured the spurious highly cut void between the legs.
Doesn't the catch look a bit odd to the "43" badge as well?
/Mike




[ 12 December 2001: Message edited by: M. Gidhagen ]