Balkan Shield

[theinglebaby23]

I know there's a lot of fakes out there on this one. However, numerous references state that these were actually issued at the end of the war. This shield shows all the signs of originality. Thoughts??? It's for sale in the auction area.

[IMPERIAL QUEST]

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/camp..._prototype.htm


I'm no expert, but it looks convincing to me... . I found this on our very own website. Scroll down to the "Balkan Shield" portion.....very interesting indeed. According to SS-Obersharfuhrer Olesh, he personally awarded 250.

[theinglebaby23]

That's what I figured. But when I put it up for sale everyone freaked and said there was no way. Seems like a lot of guys get too picky and get stuck in a rut

[Pascal H.]

I know there are a lot of stories about this shield just as there are of the Warschau shield and several other shields. I don’t think there was ever any proof that this shield was ever taken into production.
It is still my believe that this shield is a fantasy piece.

What references are you referring to and what do you consider "signs of originality"?

KR
Pascal

[theinglebaby23]

I was meaning just the normal stuff you look for. Ie-rust forming under the badge, wool backing that has been aged with staining from where the metal shield has been sitting. The paper backing is brittle and aged. Aging to the metal. Etc. Of course all these things can be replicated.

In campaign shields, then prototype on this website is one reference, firsthand, that the shield was issued in limited numbers.

[IMPERIAL QUEST]

That's what I figured. But when I put it up for sale everyone freaked and said there was no way. Seems like a lot of guys get too picky and get stuck in a rut

Hi,
With all due respect, I wasn't trying to say that the posting was confirmation of it's legitimacy (but I am not saying it is not good-I really don't know). It would be great to have some documented provenance. This is much like the Balloon Badge, and the Cloth Wound Badge-I can see where it is hard to accept a piece with no picture authentication, then on the other hand photos of an item awarded in very small numbers late in the war may be limited to a couple or none. I don't know either way, but I think this will be an interesting thread....

[paddywhack]

heres my bad boy balkan shield as requested!!!!

[paddywhack]

and the back! has got the paper and all on it!!

[theinglebaby23]

Re:

Thanks for the pic. where did you get yours?

[Chet Sowersby]

What's next, a balloon badge?

Chet

[paddywhack]

i got mine off the estand in the baazar section for $15!

[Chet Sowersby]

There you go, now your talking!

Chet

[Richard]

On the first shield the first two 4's are identical and the third 4 seems fatter and stubbier. In Paddywhack's shield all three 4's seem to look the same. I could not, with confidence, state that these were produced from the same source.
Richard V

[münster]

Richard, Even to the one in the WAF reference, I see not much matching at all. On Paddys or the other. Also on the1st one the first 4 cutting into the 9.

[Gene]

What's an Ingle Baby anyway? Just curious.