strange Russian Front Medal

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

Hi - can you guys take a look at this, I originally posted it in the huge Russian Front thread started by Dez, & got a few remarks.
The back of the badge has strange notches in the helmet & also notches in the grenade. It is marked on the ring with what appears to be "20". The envelope it came with says CF Zimmerman. I am pretty sure it is real but can others confirm ?

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

back of the medal

Note the notches

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

CLOSE UP

Close up

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

close up of the back helmet

Again note the notches in the helmet & grenade

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

opps

Dang wrong pic

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

Dedication

Also the "dedication" seems to have wierd spacing ??

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

Here is the Eagle

Has great detail etc ??

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

front of envelope

The front

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

back of the env

Appears to have a price or something on the back ?

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

last one

Finally close up of the maker stamp on env

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Craig,

Your Russian Front Medal is certainly different and has some strange features compared to others in the long thread but is it a repro? I'd say probably not. The finish looks period to me and there seems to be fine bubbling so it's probably a zinc example. The only repro of this medal I've seen has been in a soft metal with a high lead content.

Regarding the notches, is there any finish in the recesses or have the notches been made after the finish was applied? If the former then I'd say the notches would be a Zimmermann characteristic. If the latter then someone for some unknown reason may have simply butchered the badge.

You've asked the right question by trying to get images of another 20 marked medal. The notches may be particular to Zimmermann - different maker, different dies, different die characteristics and in this case quite different!

Regards
Mike K

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

Thanks Mike

No there is finish on the notches, so assume it was made this way. The helmet ones are only visible from the back whereas the grenade notches are visibel from the front. Very strange perhaps only to be explained if another turns up. Hopefully there are a few out there !!

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Craig,

I once had a 25 marked example which featured similar notches on the grenade (see pictues for notch and 25 mark). I strongly believe this is a genuine characteristic for some makers (apparantly 20 and 25 at least). It was surely not done after the finish was applied. Spaces between letters and digits on the dedication is the same like on yours.

Cheers, Frank H.

[Frank Heukemes]

reverse

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

Thanks Mike & Frank

Thanks guys excellent !!

Frank you have helped me out again, you must be a regular subscriber to the Help Craig Goodwin Charity Fund
Thanks for your assistance as usual