Opinions On IAB #2

[Steve Campbell]

This is my second IAB. The details on this one seem crisper than my other one. I was hoping someone could give thier opinion on maker, what it's made of etc.. Right of the bat is it good? Hope the pictures are ok. Any help would be great.

Steve

[Steve Campbell]

Here's the back.

[Steve Campbell]

Another shot.

[Steve Campbell]

Another.

[greg.hays]

Steve, taht is a good so called broken stem IAB....aka OM type 2 based on one marked example.......and in my opinion it is possible it was made by the same maker who is responsible for flat back PAB's and the 1.28.1 GAB. It is made of zinc, and one of the nicer IAB designs in my opinion. Is the hardware magnetic by chance?

[Steve Campbell]

Thanks Greg. As a new collector I'm always s**tbaked when I post a piece I'm not sure about. I had a good feeling about this one. The detail is quite crisp. The pin and barrell section are magnetic. The catch does not appear to be. Is the maker unknown? I bought this off the estand on a whim for a mere $50.00 so I think I got a great deal.

[greg.hays]

I would say you got a wonderful deal..........but then I'm an IAB junkie and this is one of my favorite IAB designs....kidding....it was a great deal. The maker remains unknown sadly. There was one marked example an OM....but you really can't put too much stock in that as there is another IAB of a completely different design that was also marked OM. I see a real correlation between these and teh falt back PAB, and the type 1.28.1 GAB based on the reverse hardware and the horizontal striations common to each of those combat badges. The hardware is often magnetic on these IAB's I'd say in my experience I 've owned I think 12 of these IAB's over any given time and 70/30 magnetic hardware to non. Not sure what that means or if it's completely irrelevant info but there it is.....Your pics are a bit blurry does the catch look to be original to the badge or perhaps replaced?

[greg.hays]

By the way the nickname broken stem comes from this flaw on the left side of the wreath....the top left stem is broken.

[Steve Campbell]

Thanks again. I want more IAB's for sure. The catch does not appear to be replaced, but I could be wrong.

[greg.hays]

No, it's probably original to the badge standard round wire catch with a circular catch plate which is less common for these they usually have a ovalish/rectangular catch plate. Careful these buggers are addicting!

[Steve Campbell]

That's all I need, another addiction!

[Bill Gaynor]

Research

Hi Steve,
A good source for research are three locations on badges 1.) germancombatawards.com 2.) iiireichcollectibles.com
3.) ww2militariabuysell.homestead (Mike Pinkus's site).
Take a look or post your photo over there also extra thought are always good.
Regards,
Bill Gaynor
San Jose, California, USA