Naval Honour Role Clasp Variation

[JAMES.M]

I imagine that is was very easy to pump these things out in what ever quantity you’d like, and in some cases, they still are. Are there any documented Honour Roll Clasps out there that can be shown? Not one that has been procured by a dealer, but from the original recipient! If so, that could be used as a standard or at least a starting point for one. Is there any information on what firm manufactured them, the supposed originals that is? Wasn’t there a debate as to how many Army Para Badges were possibly produced in the different production runs, a total of perhaps 5000 badges (I’m not sure of that figure)? Could that same point not be argued here? Also, as in the APB, there was only one manufacturer, why not this one too? If it was so cheap and easy to produce a large production run, pick a number out of a hat, why would they bother to have other firms’ tool up to do the same thing? It really doesn’t make sense! Would there be any point in cranking these things out in the thousands, other than they were cheap to do so? It was probably taken into consideration, even in 1944, that there wouldn’t be an endless number of sailors who would be lining up to receive this award. I hope this doesn’t come across in the wrong tone, as it is not meant to be that way. I’d like to find out more about this award, as I think it has been greatly underrated. It seems that with this award, size and “sexiness” does matter, when compared to the RK or DK.

Cheers,
James

[Simon O.]

Are there any photographs of the decoration in wear? I have seen the 1957 variety in photographs but so far no wartime photos of it being worn. I have photos of Rössger dated 1945 and it is absent although he is wearing all his other decorations i have also seen photos of Nordt being awarded his RK (almost a year after his clasp was awarded) where again it is absent and again he is wearing his other decorations.


Regards

Simon

[jacques]

Here are the portraits I know of the badge worn:
1st row: Weiss, Grohne (POW, may be hand made badge)
2nd row: 1957 version, Kirschhoff, Nordt
If someone has other pics, don't hesitate to share

jacques

[Simon O.]

Hi Jacques

I'm familiar with all those photos other than that of Weiss. Very interesting. I wonder, might it be a fair statement to say that not all of those who received the award actually got the decoration or wore it during the war? If that is true then actual awarded\worn examples would be even rarer than one would otherwise have thought. Are there any verifiable worn examples in any collections or are all the known good ones unissued?


My interest stems from the fact that i'm now proud father to KL Rössger's photo collection.


Simon