Question on Juncker IABs

[zook]

Hello Gents - a question:
Is there a reference (book or online) that covers the gamut of the Juncker produced Infantry Assault badges? I know the Juncker firm was commissioned with the design of the badge. I know they produced variations in silver through zinc alloy. However, I can't find info on variations, etc... similar to what we see for Pilot's badge, Flak Badge, etc. I have a copy of the Weber reference, which I like - but doesn't seem to cover these details. I haven't been a forum member for a long time so I don't have the resident info on what has been posted. In the WAF search function, I did see the subjective poll on the early IAB badges.
I appreciate any insights or knowledge you can share. I am looking to purchase one of the early IABs to add to my collection, and I am just doing my homework on the various types. Regards, Dan

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Dan,

Good question, and I think you have the general idea of Juncker production, they were one of the first prodcers of the badge and produced until they were bombed out in Feb 1945. Here is their earliest variant, Hollow Nickel Silver

16d-Durante.jpg

[Thomas Durante]

In early 1942 most makers started the transition to Zink which was cheaper to produce and saved the higher quality metals like brass and nickel silver for war materials. So the next Juncker evolution was Hollow Zink:

2a-Jordi.jpg 2b-Jordi.jpg

[Thomas Durante]

Hollow zink was short lived as the PKZ mandated all combat badge production to be made from solid Zink from early 1942 onwards. So Juncker switched to Solid Zink production. Since they had to produce new dies for this, they took the opportunity to change up the obverse design of their IABs:

14d-Durante.jpg

[zook]

Tom - Awesome summary - thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to lay out these photos.
I do have one follow-up question related to what you shared. I saw an old, archived sale of an early Juncker IAB and the dealer mentions the right wing contains the "typical die flaw" for the early Juncker variant. I have been searching online for a more detailed reference to what that means. I think it is in reference to a horizontal line across the right wing (obverse)? ... I am not quite sure. Because the seller used the word "typical," I assume there is a common knowledge flaw for these early variants? Thanks again, Dan

[Jordan Wills]

This is the flaw on nearly all early Juncker IABs.

Jordan

[Giel VW]

Just a side question... does anyone has an example without the flaw in his collection?

[Jelle M.]

Just a side question... does anyone has an example without the flaw in his collection?

I know one, Tom Durante, just take a look at the first badge he posted in this thread
I think i have one as well, will take a look. The pieces without the die flaw are very rare as i estimate that 90% of these NS Junckers have the hairline flaw.


Jelle

[Thomas Durante]

I know one, Tom Durante, just take a look at the first badge he posted in this thread
I think i have one as well, will take a look. The pieces without the die flaw are very rare as i estimate that 90% of these NS Junckers have the hairline flaw.


Jelle

Hahaha Jelle!

I agree, the unflawed examples are the earliest and like Jelle says, comprise roughly 10% of the Juncker IABs. The flaw, which was created by a crack in the obverse die must have happened pretty early in production as most Juncker IABs have it, and it continued into the later hollow zink production, which you can see the flaw on the hollow zinker I posted above.

Tom

[Giel VW]

I know one, Tom Durante, just take a look at the first badge he posted in this thread
I think i have one as well, will take a look. The pieces without the die flaw are very rare as i estimate that 90% of these NS Junckers have the hairline flaw.


Jelle

It's something that never crossed my mind, I have a new one to look for YES

[wrongplanet67]

This is mine and I have the impression that it also doesn't have this flaw (or only the beginning of it):

IAB_Silber_Juncker_Obverse.jpg
IAB_Silber_Juncker_Reverse.jpg

[sniper11]

Really useful thread,I wasn't aware of the flaw on the right wing before.

Troy

[AndyC]

I bought this one as a Juncker couple of years ago but is it a Juncker?
It has the flaw in the wing


Andy IMG_0784.jpeg

[AndyC]

Back IMG_0785.jpeg

[wrongplanet67]

I bought this one as a Juncker couple of years ago but is it a Juncker?
It has the flaw in the wing


Andy IMG_0784.jpeg

Actually it has.