Demjansk Shield Flaw

[Larry Lipps]

Hi Guys, just a little out of my territory here, but I've got a question on a Demjansk Shield. The shield is stamped steel and appears to have had a bout with surface rust at one time. Before entering into the militaria collection community I used to enjoy collecting coins. In the coin world we used the term "repunched die" to describe a die that was becomming unservicable and was reworked to try and extend its life. Sometimes the rework was not percise and it created a character that didn't perfectly overlay the original character. When I took some high resolution photos of my shield I noticed what appeared to be evidence of a repunched die on the "4" and "2" in the date. I had never seen the particular flaw mentioned before and wondered if anyone else had seen this before. A repunched die should have produced probably another thousand or so examples, so if it's real, there ought to be more running around.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Larry,

My shield has the exact same markings, never noticed them before. Also has the same pock mark on the top of the "2" as well. My shield has 4 soldered small prongs on the back and is immediately recognizable fromt he obverse by the worn down log on right side of the badge, 2nd log from the right on the bottom. I am betting that yours is similar to mien. I believe there are 2 good types of Demjansk shields, one like ours (no serif to the "J") and one with a very slight serif. I wonder if this latter type shield has the same marks on the 4 and 2.

Excellent closeups by the way!

Tom D.

[Larry Lipps]

Very interesting Tom, I had never noticed the missing log until you mentioned it. Although I can see four small pins on the reverse, the paper backing prevents me from seeing how they're attached. Still, it appears that we have identical shields.

[Pascal H.]

I will post a picture of the type of shield we are talking about so it is easier to see the die flaw on the log. I have seen these shields without the die flaw on the numbers but this type of shield I think always had the "missing" log.

[Pascal H.]

Tom there are more then just two types of good Demjansk shields but your are right the main difference between them is that one type has the serif "J". This type also has funnily enough also a very small die flaw on one of the numbers. On the "9" to be more precise. I will post a scan of that die flaw.

KR
Pascal

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Pascal,

You are 100% correct, should have said "several" good Demjansk shields .

Is the flaw you show in your second post (with flawed 9) on the slight serif type of shield? Just to clarify this, as the shield you show on your first post also looks to have a flaw on the top of the 9 as well. This looks more like an area that has been worn down just on your shield, not a die flaw since it is not on mine or Larry's.

Tom D.

[Pascal H.]

Hi Pascal,

You are 100% correct, should have said "several" good Demjansk shields .

Is the flaw you show in your second post (with flawed 9) on the slight serif type of shield? Just to clarify this, as the shield you show on your first post also looks to have a flaw on the top of the 9 as well. This looks more like an area that has been worn down just on your shield, not a die flaw since it is not on mine or Larry's.

Tom D.

Tom, I presume that the shield of which I posted the obverse is the same as yours and Larry's? If it isn't can you please post the obverse of yours?

The date area on the one I posted is indeed very worn down and is not a die flaw. The type of shield of which I posted the date is from the type with the slight serif "J".

KR
Pascal

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Pascal,

Yes, your shield is exactly the same as mine, even up to the slight rust on the eagle's head . I found mine in an antique store about 2 years ago and the eagles head is completely covered in rust, but the rest of the shield is in great shape.

Tom D.

[Pascal H.]

Hi Pascal,

Yes, your shield is exactly the same as mine, even up to the slight rust on the eagle's head . I found mine in an antique store about 2 years ago and the eagles head is completely covered in rust, but the rest of the shield is in great shape.

Tom D.

Sadly this shield is not mine but one I had in my files .

KR
Pascal

[Larry Lipps]

Here's the full obverse of mine. I can't believe I never noticed the missing log.

[Thomas Durante]

Nice shield Larry, has the "been there" look . Exact match to mine.

Tom D.

[Pascal H.]

I agree, a very nice shield in a excellent condition. Just look at the eagles head .
Thanks for sharing Larry.

KR
Pascal