Zollgrenzschutz-Ehrenzeichen

[Darrell]

Hi all,

What is the concensus on this Customs medal?

[Chris Taylor]

I can't really speak to the ribbon, it seems a bit off center to me, but the medal itself looks to be OK.


I'd like to hear some other opinions though.

[J Temple-West]

If the medal is made of aluminium, there may be a chance that it's ok.. If not, I would have concerns about the eyelet.. All original examples, I've encountered, have thin wire stock eyelets attached to the top of the frame. Having said that and basing my thoughts on the fact that NSDAP long service awards, in aluminium, have this overlapping eyelet...there is a chance..

Too the ribbon.. Have you black light tested it? Again, I've not come across embroidered ribbons that are this wide.. Normally, the official ribbon should be much wider + the embroidery lacks detail..

[J Temple-West]

Another..

[MH184]

Hi Darrel,

I'm afraid I fear the worst for your customs medal, this looks like the fake that is made from the same alloy as the 'gun key rings' are made out of (little tiny cap guns for a key ring)

A strange request but smell it ! Give it a good sniff ! Does it have a 'brasso' metalic smell.

No I've not lost the plot, but there are in the UK medal's like this made from the same alloy and they all smell the same, the coppery bronze look is incorrect and if you were to weigh this and compare it to original examples you'd find yours was lighter (I think lighter)

This thin ribbon type and the colour described is evident on the market over here, there are other medals in the fake series too. But I do suspect this as being one of the fakes I've encountered over here.....they are becoming more common place and you see alot of customs medals now on the dubious dealers stands that conform to yours.

Please however wait for more conversed responses than this, as this is just an observation response than detailed...and probably not alot of use

Kr

Marcus

[Chris Taylor]

Hello Darrel,

Both John & Marcus make very good points.

I hadn't noticed the eyelet, this is is a very good point.

Also I have heard of theses fakes w/the barss/metalic smell, so as Marcus suggests.... sniff away!

Here is a comparison of yours against one of the ones John posted.

First off is color (though this is the color of the ribbon bar mini's) and notice the difference in how the eyelets are attached.
Also it looks like the beading along the inside edges seems a bit different.

There are some differences, but material & maker may account for them. I'm not an expert on these though & haven't owned many of the actual medals, just the ribbon bar devices!

Hope this helps.