gold ccc 2nd try

[vitts]

what do you think?

[vitts]

clasp is screwed up on hinge side

[vitts]

all right mm are there

[vitts]

close up of hinge repair

[skip]

Not one that I would buy. Also looks like a repro.

Skip

[Frank Heukemes]

No chance for that one, sorry.

[vitts]

not meant for an argument but to help in my education. color looks good thru out,backing plate has not been removed, makers marks look ok granted it looks like a lousy repair on the hinge but the other side is the proper small thin hook clasp, it has the proper curve to it, and is very heavy. why do you so quickly call it a repop?/ or is it a diff.order (bronze or silver) that has been redone?help me to learn fellas

[mmiller]

Hi Vits,

I'll try to help here. As I look at your NKSiG, first thing is I dont like the color/ tone of the gilting. It just doesn't match other 'authentic' gilt finishes. The base metal of all CCCs (with the exception of the Juncker TOMBAK presentation pieces [very rare and expensive...$8000 and up, if is has etui] is zinc. As we all know, over the years, the chemistry of the zinc absorbes the gold wash. Your badge presents an exceptional amount of gold finsh. This is a red flag for me. As I look at the four crimps securing the back plate, NONE of them actually overlap the plate. My opinion is the plate has been removed and the badge refinished.

The quality of your badge is poor. Maybe it's the images you posted, but I don't think so. Look at the poor workmanship where the catch is affixed to the spange. Look at the hinge. It looks terrible. Sorry to be so blunt. I'm not even sure if the badge is authentic. The hinge is supposed to be integral to the clasp. It was part of the casting process. It was never affixed later in the production process. Your hinge shows a lot of repair or adhesive in that area. Can you provide sharper images?

You mention weight. Can you measure your CCC? Width, height at the center of the badge, length of the grenade, span of the eagle? And the weight? We need mm's and grams to be sure.

Gold Nahkampfspanges are a dangerous gamble. There are many 'upgraded' bronze examples floating around. I would feel more comfortable with a gold CCC that reflected 60 years of aging. That's just my personal opinion.

If you have questions, please ask. You have come to the right place. But you must know, a lot of us, me included, have posted badges that turned out to be bad. That is the nature of the hobby!

I don't think any of the above comments were personal. But they were correct. I haven't even studied your badge closely yet, but I am posting four AGMuk badges for comparison. Let's have a look here.

Regards,
Mark

[vitts]

thank you very much, like i said i need the education it is one thing to say it is fake and then another to give the reasons why you think so your answers to my questions are much appreciated i have done a lot to educate me in what to look for. thanks again frank v. (vitts)

[mmiller]

Hi Frank,

I see you are still 'up' too. One thing you will notice when comparing all the 'MuKs', many different styles of backplate 'crimps' were used. The fakers are trying, but they still haven't got it right..... yet! The obverse is very sharp and detailed. The earlier MuKs use a larger style 'font' on their lettering, the later badges are a smaller font. Also, if you look at the first silver CCC I posted, you will notice a deep-blued back plate. Very desirable, IMHO.

Regards,
Mark

[vitts]

yeh i am a late to bed kind of guy. i am not a serious collector of badges i am a P.38 person and can not help but run into these things every now and then. what does a nice badge like the ones you posted sell for mark? i like to use badges and things when i display my pistols thanks for you thoughtful help and explanations they realy are appreciated frank

[mmiller]

Frank,

Just like your P38s , condition is everything. A 'ratty' bronze CCC will sell for $250-$300. A nice one will go for $350-$450. The silver grade will jump to $450-$650, according to condition. Gold... $850-$1200.

Pick one that matches the P38 you will display it with.

Mark