IAB RS copy ?

[skip]

I´m going to be selling off alot of my low end items over the eStand in the next couple of weeks and I just want to check a few things before I start.
Is everybody generally the opinion that RS IABs like this with cutout rifle are copys.

Thanks Skip

[skip]

Whats up, does nobody want to talk to me or what?

Skip

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Skip,

I think nobody can give you a definite answer to your question. These pieces conform to the original non-cut-out-rifle Souval items (execpt for the cut-out of course), so it COULD be possible they are real. I never held a cut-out one, so I would make my decision based on that, not a photo.

Cheers, Frank H.

[Warren O]

It sure is a very nice looking badge, I don't remember if R.S. IAB's are supposed to have the angular form logo or the rounded form or both. I do know some collectors prefer the small rounded letters like yours. I certainly would not through it in the junk box I held onto my R.S. PAB and finally information came out that the type was good. Personally I like it.
Warren

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Skip,

I agree with Frank - Souval badges are muddy waters and I won't comment on your badge either way. The two I own both are of the non-cutout type but have small angular letters. The hinge/pin/catch assembly is the same as yours though. Both of mine are from the same die, but the silver one is old and pitted (zincpest) whereas the bronze looks new!

Regards
Mike K

[skip]

Thanks guys,

I just want to clear this cos i want to sell off my IAB collection on the eStand and i don´t want anybody jumping on me for selling known fakes.
I will mark this piece as a ?

Skip

[heinrich66]

My IAB, silver class has a different style on the letter (not the curved R.S. style).

Greetings

Heinrich

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Skip,

In guess nobody would mind you offering it on the e-stand, pointing out that these are normally not cut out but that your item apart from that conforms to known RS originals. Everybody who buys a RS marked item has to be aware of certain dangers and possibilities. It should be in the eye of the buyer if he feels that badge is right. If you think it is right that should be good enough to post it, you are no beginner.

P.S.: Hard to imagine that if Souval did not cut out the rifle on his wartime items he suddenly felt an urge to go through this effort for his postwar IABs. Maybe these cut out ones are just earlier or just another die. I guess we will never know for sure.

Cheers, Frank

[skip]

Thanks for all the help on this guys.

Frank, do you ever use the Pseudonym "Franziskus"?
Skip

[Luftm40]

Hi, I'm not up on all of the RS die characteristics for the IAB, but keep in mind that badges such as the one we are discussing were die cast, meaning molten zinc -based metal was forced into a mold under pressure. The resulting "plug" was then trimmed around the inside and edges to form the final image. This was often done by heavy die press cutters formed in the outline of the badge. It could just be that Souval trimmed their badges in two ways. One which left the excess material in place, and another which voided it. I think we would have to look at both examples side by side to really compare the die characteristics. Most collectors avoid Souval pieces because people are conditioned to be suspicious of them, and they are hard to resell

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Skip, I have a Bronze Infantry assault badge in my collection which is made of zinc and has very little finsh left to the front and only a small amount left to the back. It has the small "R.S." letters just the same as yours. I do not have the badge here, but I will check it against yours. I feel that yours is OK.
Cheers, Ade.