As Philippe suggested, identifying these badges, and this is true for me anyway, is quite difficult.
Recently I searched the forum for clues and came away with eye strain. I believe there was a thread (don't hold me to this) that mentioned that if the left arm of the swas was angled, which yours looks to be, it might be an F&R, but since then I have seen quite a few badges that appear to have this feature.??
the key to distinguish a hollow B.H. Mayer IAB from a hollow F&R IAB is the design of the bayonet. Have a look at the following F&R bayonet and compare it with B.H. Mayer ....
the key to distinguish a hollow B.H. Mayer IAB from a hollow F&R IAB is the design of the bayonet. Have a look at the following F&R bayonet and compare it with B.H. Mayer ....
ak if it was that simple how do you explain the existance of L/18 marked IAB's featuring this Bayonet or for that matter marked L/18 GAB's and unmarked BH Mayer PAB's featuring the hardware found on F&R marked badges?
Ak could you maybe highlight some of the flaws your mentioning.
I think when you focus on the right lower oakleave next to the wreathband on a marked F&R IAB you would agree with me that this badge most likely couldn't have come out of the same die as the BM hollow badges.
And this is an unmarked example that matches the BM design you call F&R perfectly. Not only that it also shares the set-up found on the pin marked L/18 IAB's and GAB's and PAB's.
all the badges you show are IMO from F&R- you are right. The big question mark ist the hollow IAB from Frank, but i would call it a "mistake". Perhaps B.H. Mayer sold some of the F&R badges under their label ?
It's the same with my "20" marked RK GAB or the "A" marked GAB from an unknown maker (both are in Frank's book). No one can explain it at the moment .....
The same goes with the L/14 marked hollow FLL IAB and the L/50 marked S&L IAB.
To the oak leaf: we can find the different oak leaf only between the hollow and massive IAB, perhaps another die is the reason. Look at the Ernst M******252;ller IAB and their different oak leaf design.
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