IAB .. half of it ..

[Jos L C]

When you went into battle, but you didn't do your best that much .., you got half a badge ..

Jos.

[HAF]

not first time i see that ,if i good remember broken one mean something back them ,

[Jelle M.]

Very interesting picture Jos.
I would almost say that the badge was deliberately cut in half.
Look how neat the cut-out was done under the rifle and on the lower side under the sling.
Might be similar to panzer crews who cut out the grass zone to disinguish themselves as old fighters.
Thanks for sharing

Jelle

[Giel VW]

Great photo!

Would indeed be fun to know if it was actually the same theory as the panzers.

[Jos L C]

Removing the grass is more cosmetic than cutting a badge in half, I would think..
Maybe he tried to bend it, to see if it was original, like some collectors used to do, then ruined it..
I also have seen more pics with " broken" badges, saw one with a lw Flak badge etc..

Jos

[Thomas Durante]

Great pic Jos.

I too think that it was cut deliberately, notice that the bottom wreath is preserved just enough to keep the catch in place. A deliberate action IMO, and we know of several other pics with similarly cut IABs.

Tom

[Bruce Simcox]

I wouldn't think a landser would have intentionally cut an IAB in half for any reason.
It just doesn't make any sense.
Accidental damage? Yes.
Intentionally create a damaged badge to wear on one's chest? Not likely.
More importantly: What possible reason could there be?
As for why he is still wearing a damaged badge? Pride.
I would venture that he changed it out as soon as it's replacement could be obtained.
Any ideas comparing it to panzer cut-outs is pure fantasy and speculation.

My $.02

[AndyC]

It´s a IAB with the "been there" look



Andy

[Der Metzger]

Hi, I have this IAB in my collection. It was once included with a purchase of medals. Was it stuck on whether it is original? Looks to me as if you wanted to simulate combat damage. Anyway, very good optics. Greetings butcher

[Jelle M.]

Hi Butcher,

that grounddug IAB is very interesting and similar to the one that started this thread on the period picture.
Very interesting to see the deliberate and additional cut-out just above the bajonet. Has been done for a visual effect.
This is not combat damage but done on purpose by the soldier, just look at the the straight cut.
I stick with my previous opinion that it's something similar to the cut-out on panzer badges. The reason behind is still unclear.
Maybe a group of soldiers wanted to distinguish theirself for taking part in an epic battle or as a sign of comraderie between them.
Interesting for sure but we will never know the exact truth i guess.

Jelle

[Job Lunter]

Very interesting picture indeed, sadly it's so hard to proof especially in today's collecting world.

The Vienna IAB shown is a cast copy imo. This fake has part of the leaves missing between the sling, the cuts show that it is a rather soft material compared to an original. It wouldn`t flow over like it does and lastly there is no Vienna design badge that would be comparable to the back of this one. There is marked(Just below the catch), hollow and scooped out, this piece is neither of those.

Job

[Jelle M.]

Very interesting picture indeed, sadly it's so hard to proof especially in today's collecting world.

The Vienna IAB shown is a cast copy imo. This fake has part of the leaves missing between the sling, the cuts show that it is a rather soft material compared to an original. It wouldn`t flow over like it does and lastly there is no Vienna design badge that would be comparable to the back of this one. There is marked(Just below the catch), hollow and scooped out, this piece is neither of those.

Job

You are totally right Job!
I was solely focussing on the cut-out and so overlooked the badge itself.
Just the reason why this thing was cut in pieces and created for

[Thomas Durante]

Good eye Job. I also suspected something was off on the obverse with the 2nd one, but because it looked ground dug I talked myself into it being a corroded original. Well spotted.

Tom