SdVb badge

[MilitaryCollect]

Hello,

Here is a new member's SdVb badge up for review. Don''t know much about these and comments would very much be appreciated for our new member - me too!

Thank you,

Christopher

[John Hodgin]

Am doubtful Christopher, and without ironclad provenance, something I'd avoid.

[alphared6]

John:

The badge came to us from a Veteran, born in Oklahoma he joined the Brit Army in 1940 with whom he served in North Africa. When the US got into the war he transferred into the US 45th Infantry Division with whom he served to the end of the war as an infantryman.

My question is: What was this badge issued for? Thank to Christopher I now know that they were of local manufacture. I've also been told that the SdVb had these made in 1941 for wear on the left breast pocket (like a decoration) but the badge was replaced in 1942 by the patch worn on the sleeve. Is this correct?

Thank you,

Mike

[william15]

Sv288

I must admit i like the look of this one, and having seen a few variations and modern copys this is a nice looking Sv288. If it ever comes on the market please let me know. I believe these units were made up of foreign nationals with the ability to speak various languages mainly being Arabic with the intention of taking the oil fields in the middle east if and when they got there. They also operated behind enemy lines causing many problems for the Commonwealth Forces, hence the name Special Unit 288. I hope this helps. Im sure there are others who can give a better account of this unit.
Regards William

[John Hodgin]

John:

The badge came to us from a Veteran, born in Oklahoma he joined the Brit Army in 1940 with whom he served in North Africa. When the US got into the war he transferred into the US 45th Infantry Division with whom he served to the end of the war as an infantryman.

Mike

If you can verify all this Mike, you have an extremely rare and valuable badge! Congratulations!
Regards,
John

[MilitaryCollect]

Hi Mike,

Must say that yours' looks much different than the shown field made pieces. To my knowledge, originals were rather crudely made of brass/bronze while Mike's looks like it's made of polished Brass.

Here's a thread (posts 1, 16, 18, 21) which shows a SdVb 287/288 badge: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...117638&page=23

Photo below borrowed from above.

Christopher

[milcollector]

at the end of the day it still falls into the general classification of "trench art". Remember "judge the item , not the story" etc. etc.

Original or not, the fact that it is not official, makes it extremely risky to buy, and also difficult to sell on.

Time and time again, we see unofficial items discussed on this forum, very rarely with any consensus on authenticity.

[MilitaryCollect]

SdVb badge

Hi,

Here's another example of this badge taken from the Schiffer book, page 327.

Christopher

[william15]

Sv288

A point i'd like to add is that as with any unofficial award of any description there will be variations as there were with the Dak rings. This badge being of a better quality could mean it was made by a jewler but who knows. Just a thought.
William

[MilitaryCollect]

SdVb badge

A point i'd like to add is that as with any unofficial award of any description there will be variations as there were with the Dak rings. This badge being of a better quality could mean it was made by a jewler but who knows. Just a thought.
William

Precisely. It appears to be made of "refined" brass and highly polished too. Much different than the others.

Here's a link on the Branderburgers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branden...s#North_Africa

Christopher