new unmarked PAB, opinions?

[tinmantis]

Hi guys
not quite my field, but this just in, and I think it's a good unmarked Frank&Reif, what do you experts think?
best wishes
jon

[tinmantis]

2

[Philippe DB]

Hi Jon,


Your Correct F&R or Mayer, still didn't find a way to keep them apart.

Notice that it has the die flaw in the right headlamp but luckely it doesn't feature any punchmarks

KR
Philippe

[robert60446]

Notice that it has the die flaw in the right headlamp but luckely it doesn't feature any punchmarks

No punch marks?! It must be a fake then!
Just kidding – very nice addition to your collection John! Congratulations!

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Jon,

A shot of the hinge from top or from below might reveal more about the maker.

[Philippe DB]

Dear Jon,

A shot of the hinge from top or from below might reveal more about the maker.

Dear Frank,

This won't do the trick. I have two bages in my collection that came out of one and the same die (same die flaw on the right headlamp), one featuring the angled hinge and one the straight one. I'm 95% confident that Jon's hinge will be the straight type.

KR
Philippe

[Frank Heukemes]

It is a good rule of thumb though, very few exceptions. Comparisons with marked L/18 and Frank & Reif badges show this. In my opinion:

Frank & Reif: always straight
B. H Mayer: 95% angle cut hinge, very few with straight hinge

But, as stated, only a rule of thumb, the whole BH Mayer / Frank & Reif thing needs difficult setup, finish, flaw comparisons not neccessarily visible on pics.

[tinmantis]

you're right, hinge is straight...
thanks for all the positive comments guys
I'll get a few more pics uploaded, just to show off!
regards
jon

[Frank Heukemes]

finish speaks for F&R as well, IMO.

[Philippe DB]

Dear Frank,

That is my problem. Here is the other badge with that die flaw in a beginning stage. You have the same one and from the pics I saved yours also has the flaw. As you probably remember the finish and burnished highlights match BH Mayer EK I spanges.

So if the die flaw counts for anything my best guess at the moment would be that ALL hollow buntmetall and zinc PAB's featuring this design are BH Mayer made. The fact that they don't all feature the flaw could on the one hand be the result of wear (untill now I never saw a buntmetall example with the flaw) or simply because more then one die was used las was the case the IAB's.

On the other hand I won't exclude that maybe more makers besides F&R & Mayer were producing these badges.

KR
Philippe

[Frank Heukemes]

Schickle e.g., as evidenced by his wartime catalogue, also sold badges with this design. It is not clear however if he PRODUCED these, or just carried F&R or BH Mayer products for sale.

[Bruce Simcox]

Hi Jon......

......nice PAB. It would seem that you are broadening your collectiong field.

-------------------------

Bruce