Black GAB for Pioneer?? Was one issued?

[overthetop]

Bought as a Pioneer black General Assault badge. Couldn't locate anything on one, question was one issued and is this one?
thanks in advance
regards
Randy

[overthetop]

and reverse.

[Gregorio Torres]

An special issue for Pioneer didn´t exist.

[MarcoPennisi]

Neither did exist a "black" class of this award , as far as I know.
MP

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi Randy,

Your GAB is an original, but it is not black. What you are seeing is a very dark gray, zinc base metal. Some of the Kriegsmetall alloys used in later war badge production were just very dark and almost look black. It is the mixture of metals in the particular alloy that give the base metal its dark color and it is not the finish. Your badge still has some silver finish remaining on the front. But where that silver finish has faded away you now see the very dark base metal exposed.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Compare this original GAB by Friedrich Orth (left) with an original GAB by E.Ferd. Wiedmann (right).

The Orth has no finish remaining on the front and all we see is the very dark Kriegsmetall alloy base metal. Looks almost black doesn't it?

The Wiedmann is in near-mint condition, with its silver finish intact.

[Tom Yanacek]

Here is the reverse of each:

The Orth (left) is as dark on the back as it is on the front. The only places we see some traces of silver finish remaining is around the hinge and catch.

The Wiedmann is about as minty on the reverse as it is on the front.

[Skyhawk]

Hi Tom,

Wow! The Wiedmann is in amazing condition!!

Best,

Jeff

[Tom Yanacek]

Wow! The Wiedmann is in amazing condition!!

Hi Jeff,

Thanks! I really like that one too. I picked it up in Toledo, last month for a whopping $40.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

This original GAB by Rudolf Souval is another one of mine that looks almost black:

[Lloyds]

Bought as a Pioneer black General Assault badge. Couldn't locate anything on one, question was one issued and is this one?
thanks in advance
regards
Randy

Don't listen to them it did exist along with the pink panzer badge and red flak badge but not convinced about the dark yellow para badge

[overthetop]

Here is the reverse of each:

The Orth (left) is as dark on the back as it is on the front. The only places we see some traces of silver finish remaining is around the hinge and catch.

The Wiedmann is about as minty on the reverse as it is on the front.

Tom, many thanks for great photos, and explanation! That clears that up, makes sense. This is en route, already bought, and will post better pic's when it gets here, may see more finish then too.

best regards
Randy

[overthetop]

Don't listen to them it did exist along with the pink panzer badge and red flak badge but not convinced about the dark yellow para badge

Thanks Lloyds! I must find the rest of those elusive badges!

[overthetop]

This original GAB by Rudolf Souval is another one of mine that looks almost black:

Hi Tom,

Your R.S. color is nearly same as mine, thanks again for great photos.

regards,
Randy

[overthetop]

Just came in, and has more silver than his photos show - must be in the lens, mine look darker too.

Thanks to all for the assist!! Learning curve a little flatter now, found these only come in silver!