My new IAB

[Andreas Klein]

Hello Philippe,

Your E. M******252;ller compare just doesn't make sense to me these are indeed the same badges with the hollow one being the earlier badge. On the solid one their are just some oakleave vains worn out but if you look closely the remains are still visible so both badges came out of one and the same obverse die. The oakleave differences on the BH-Mayer/F&R design can hardly be explained by wear.

the massive M******252;ller ist in mint condition and the hollow one is worn. I can see steams on the worn hollow one, but not on the mint condition massive one. This is not caused by the wear of the badge, they are missing in the die.

You have no problem accepting hollow BM F&R made badges that were never ever found marked but somehow the fact that BH Mayer marked badges only have a stamped in mark on the pin is enough for you to doubt them.

Yes, because there are marked F&R badges outthere with the same corporate design like the unmarked massive and hollow ones.

Also think about this. What did F&R ever made? An IAB a PAB and a GAB, compare this with the production of BH Mayer. If these companies worked together wouldn't it be logical that the small one worked for the big one and not the other way arround?

From what we know from marked packets and badges, F&R made:

- the Iron Cross 2nd class
- the Eastern Front medal
- the PAB
- the GAB
- the IAB

... and i agree the smaller B.H. Mayer worked with tools from F&R and yet unknown firms

Or do you think F&R was the smaller one but produced a B-side die for the IAB, GAB and PAB with their fulll name "F(r)ank & Reif, Stuttgart" on it, while the bigger B.H. Mayer only used a nearly invisible L/18 pin-stamp on a few badges?