1st Class Luftschutz Buttonhole Medal

[RonR]

...

[RonR]

34

[RonR]

56

[RonR]

78

[RonR]

910

[RonR]

11

[Norm F]

Hi Ron,

Nice looking mini. Here's the same type that was recently on Giel's site.

The full-size looks like a zinc Souval like the type discussed in this thread:
http://wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/s...d.php?t=904487

Best regards,
---Norm

[Tom Yanacek]

Terrific looking pieces, Ron.

Best regards,
Tom

[luftkrieg]

Ron,

A most impressive set!!

Kind regards
Pierce

[Norm F]

Hi Ron,

Is your mini made of Tombak or zinc?

Best regards,
---Norm

[Il_brillante]

Great pieces Ron

[Alex K.]

Time to show my 2 minis of the Luftschutz-Ehrenzeichen 1. Class. First one is on a ribbon, interesting is that the loop was attached 90° wrong.

[Alex K.]

Next one is a buttonhole miniature along with its brother of the 2. Class.

[Norm F]

First one is on a ribbon, interesting is that the loop was attached 90° wrong.

Yes, very interesting. Despite the rotation, I suspect it's the same type of mini as the one from Giel's site. If so, that suggests the suspension loop is attached separately and not part of the production die, which surprises me.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

If so, that suggests the suspension loop is attached separately and not part of the production die, which surprises me.

Best regards,
---Norm

Ah, I figured it out. The suspension loop is indeed integral to the badge and is created from the flashing in the trimming step. This is apparent from studying the three examples in this thread.

When you compare Ron's and Giel's you can see identical die flaws and flashing (numbered 1 through 5 in the diagram). Then, when you do the same comparison with Alex's example you can see that all the same flaws exist but all are 90 degrees offset from the main design. Therefore, we can assume that these flaws were created by the trimming stamp, and in Alex's case the badge must have been placed by the worker into the trimming stamp in a 90 degree offset position. Since the suspension loop is also offset by 90 degrees, it's clear it's created out of the flashing in the trimming step of the production process.

A fascinating insight into the production process.

Best regards,
---Norm