Is this ost medal made of tombak?

[zambrotta11]

Hello,

I just got this Ost medal in beautiful condition the other day. It is marked 63 and I think it looks like it is tombak. Is it made of tombak?
All opinions appreciated.

Regards,
Stephen

[zambrotta11]

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[zambrotta11]

mm

[wschmidt]

Great Ostmedaille, Stephen!!!!!!!

It is one Ostmedaille in Buntmetall.

Regards,

Schmidt

[zambrotta11]

Thanks Schmidt for the compliment. I'm glad it is made of buntmetal (or Tombak, they are the same thing, aren't they?) It took me nearly 2 months to get this tombac ostmedialle. I just couldn't find one.

Regards,
Stephen

[Chet Sowersby]

Hi Stephen,
A superb example clearly numbered. However, I think that you will find that the medal is a zincer with a buntmetal coating. A forum member recently took a hacksaw to one of these and it showed the underlaying material to be zinc. I don't belive there are any Ostfrontmedals that are entirely buntmetal.
Chet

[zambrotta11]

Thanks Chet. I seen that thread. Poor ostmedaille. I would have taken it.
Here's the link to that thread. Look at post 59.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...&highlight=ost

Regards,
Stephen

[Robert P.]

Thanks Chet. I seen that thread. Poor ostmedaille. I would have taken it.
Here's the link to that thread. Look at post 59.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...&highlight=ost

Regards,
Stephen

Also please read posts 36-39 of the same thread, destructive testing to prove that some Ostmedailles were pure tombak.

Robert

[zambrotta11]

Thanks for pointing that out Robert. Also a massive thanks for filing some of your medal to prove that.

Regards,
Stephen

[Robert P.]

Thanks for pointing that out Robert. Also a massive thanks for filing some of your medal to prove that.

Regards,
Stephen

You're very welcome. I just had to find out for myself. Hey, I have a mint '63' also. I bought it from Rainer. It's a perfect Ostmedaille like yours, a great example...

Robert

[Robert P.]

mm 63...

[Robert P.]

Like Chet was saying, Ostmedailles (most, to my discovery) were coated with a very thin layer of brass to help the final finish adhere better. It's hard to see in this photo, but the very tops of some of the lettering show this thin brass layer where the finish has worn slightly. It weighs in as a zincer.

Robert

[zambrotta11]

A perfect example Robert.
You just gotta love mint ostmedailles. Great to look at but easy on the wallet.
I have since bought another mint one marked 20 with matching packet marked C.F. Zimmermann and L/52. I might as well let you see it.

Regards,
Stephen

[Robert P.]

Very nice set! The medal has a very smooth finish too. Nice quality Ost!

Thanks,
Robert

[zambrotta11]

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