Solid massive Nickle Silver IAB

[vonStubben]

Straight from the veteran and in solid, massive, nickle silver.

Regards,

Chuck

[vonStubben]

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[Thomas Durante]

Hi Charles,

Intersting IAB. Its lacking in detail on the obverse, specifically the oak leaves veins are very "simple". The finish looks weird, like it may have been touched up, which could explain the lack of detail. Obverse does not match any known example that I can find, but the finsh and flash of the picture could be hiding details that I just can't see. In my opinion, this is a zink badge, possibly cast, which would explain the lack of crisp detail. Something you would not find on an early nickle silver badge. Reverse set up point to zink as well.
Tom D.

[Philippe DB]

Hi Chuck,

It's an original IAB from an unknown maker in its last set-up variant. I would be very surpriced if it was made out of Nickel silver though.

Here is an earlier example

KR
Philippe

[Philippe DB]

reverse

[Philippe DB]

And here is an other example that gives you a good idea how the catch crimp would have looked before the crimping device broke down and they were forced to solder the catch on by hand again.

KR
Philippe

[Don D.]

Looks like a zinker to me. What does it weigh?
Don

[vonStubben]

Nickle Silver IAB

Gentlemen,

Here are better pictures (I hope).

The badge is made of 100% solid, massive, nickle silver and weighs in at an even 25 grams. It is die struck and an aluminum paint has been applied to it similar to that used by Assmann on some of their PAB's.

While the top hinge plate has been pillow crimped in place, the catch has been welded on. Nothing has been post war applied or changed. As a matter of fact, the wreath band at the bottom shows a very small fissure where the hardness of the metal caused a tiny crack when the badge was die struck. The nickle silver is plainly visible beneath the worn portions of the silver paint.

Trust me, it is as described and was acquired along with a 1st class Iron Cross, a silver wound badge, and an FLL bronze CCC, all from the same veteran and taken from one Heer soldier.

I will be happy to take any other pictures or do whatever it takes to convience you of the above. It is a really neat badge!

Regards,

Chuck

[vonStubben]

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[Don D.]

Why would they paint a nickle-silver badge silver???
Don

[trotlin13]

Appears to be zinc. I have trouble accepting that it's nickel silver.

[vonStubben]

Hi Don,

I haven't the foggiest idea, but it is what it is and I am not going to remove the paint simply to conform with "known" examples.

Who knows exactly why some of the things were done the way they were? This is one of the things that keeps us on our toes and makes the study of these items so interesting. I guess we could also ask why paint a nickle silver Assmann PAB with the same type of paint? I don't know that either, but I have had one done the same way in the past as well.

In my opinion it is the same type of paint used to paint Waffen-SS, EM/NCO steel belt buckles.

Chuck

Why would they paint a nickle-silver badge silver???
Don

[vonStubben]

Well............given the concensus that this badge must be zinc I have gone back to it and looked it over very carefully.

It is indeed fine zinc............it only looks and has the heft of nickle silver. The paint makes it seem like something it is not.

My thanks to all for their help and observations.

Any other thoughts as to why it was painted?

Regards,

Chuck

Appears to be zinc. I have trouble accepting that it's nickel silver.

[greg.hays]

Hi Chuck, a little off topic but.........I have 2 fine zink "UU" marked IAB's. One that was painted and the other was not. The unpainted one is definitely more pleasing to the eye and I always wondered why the other was painted. Same question that you seem to have now..........why paint a fine zinc badge?

I.for no reason and based upon nothing but pure speculation, always wondered if IAB's, PAB's ect.......were painted for parades or dress photos. The same way that the US Army now has plain badges and what we call Stay-bright badges. The Stay Brites are used for DA photos and dress occasions. All speculation of course.

[Don D.]

Zinc will turn dark grey and dull after a time due to exposure to the air and elements. Awards are meant to be flashy, if you know what I mean. If you look at the finishes of some makers (RK GABS for instance) you can find a wide array of silver finishes, from dull to thick simulated chrome. I've always thought the real shiney ones were for parade.
Don