Ground find IAB

[Mike Dunn]

Here is a "ground find" IAB from Southern Germany. Reported to have been found with others in a box at an old camp near the Bodensee. Any thoughts?? Thanks, Mike

[Mike Dunn]

reverse--pin is missing.

[keifer kahn]

The white crystalized zinkpest and other brown corrosive slag indicates to me that this piece has been in the ground along time.I have several ground dug IABS(dont get angry guys,no graves involved) ,and the piece you present exhibits exactly the same deteriotion characteristics that only time can produce.Also Ive only seen genuine wartime items get zink pest,so this IMO,is definately a war time piece.

It is definately not a repro stuck in the ground for a couple of years,
Ill send you some shots of my zinkpest beasties if you wish.

regards keifer

[Mike Dunn]

Keifer, thanks for the infromation. This is NOT a grave dug item. Came out of a camp area and found by construction workers. Do you find that a lot of the ground found items have lost their pins? Thanks, Mike

[keifer kahn]

yes ,mike unfortunately when it comes to ground dug items you have to defend the source alot quicker than normally obtained items.My ground dug items arent from graves either but from areas occupied at some time by german units.I wouldnt buy anything that had any type of graves attachment.

Reference the pins on ground dug items,usually you will find the badges with crimped in hinges and catches are the best ones to retain their assemblys.They may corrode but the crimping still keeps them in place.
Your type where the hinge would of been flat on the back(rolled steel,im assuming) and soldered to the flat section of the badge tend to lose their hinges/pins alot more.This is due to the zinc that the hinge is soldered too,starting its transformation from zink to zinkpest(and its in between stages).The solder cannot adhere to the new form and thus the hinge over time,as zinkpest sets in, eventually seperates from the badge.Obviously with the crimped in styles there is no solder involved,so alot of these will keep their assemblies.

Another factor is rust getting under the actual hinge reverse and destroying the adherance qualities of the solder as well.

Another reason for the loss of hinge/pins assemblies is a combination of both.

Hope this helps,

regards keifer