GAB - Assmann

[Mike H]

OK, gentlemen -- comments on this one.

Mike

[Mike H]

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[MH184]

It looks like a to good to be true steel Assamann !!

It could be mint of course, I can't tell ?


Kr

Marcus

[Don D.]

Very nice Assman. Hey, I think that is twice that I've said that today.

[Robert P.]

Don and Marcus, not to be different, but I don't see the fine detail to the obverse like as seen in Frank's book on page 34. The 'pebbling' in the leaves is missing in this example for one. Maybe it's a light strike. ?? I see the pebbling on the reverse side in the leaves, but not on the obverse. The distinct detailing to the legs is also noticeable to me, the lack of it. The obverse just looks very smooth like it was a very light strike. I like the hinge, the very light bevel at the base especially. The catch also seems a little different from the original 'C' shape as seen in the book. Maybe I'm using the book's example, and not taking into consideration that this may be a light strike, which would make up for the lack of finer detail. Just my observations.

Robert

[MH184]

One premise in thought is that a steel die would wear out quicker amongst other ideas in production of this badge.

Even my example dosen't show the obverse pebbling to the best degree either in leaves and at the 12 o'clock postion on the wreath esp.

In fact mine is pretty much the same in detail, but not the finish - I need an upgrade !!!

[Robert P.]

Yes, understandable. I like the single cutout also in the example Mike posted. Maybe I'm just being too critical in my observation of the badge. These steel badge are new to me, and I'm open to learn. In my mind I think everything has to be 'textbook', especially on a mint piece as this. But I can certainly understand die breakdown over time.

Robert

[Don D.]

I think the thick coating of the finish may actually be hiding some of the smaller detail too.

[Robert P.]

I think the thick coating of the finish may actually be hiding some of the smaller detail too.

Don, it would have to be a pretty thick coating to cover the pebbling on the wreath above the eagle's head. There is no pebbling above his head.

Robert

[Ian Lim]

Hi Robert,

This Assmann is similar to my piece I mentioned to you:-

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=215437

I think these are the early pieces , before A1 to 4.

[Robert P.]

Hi Robert,

This Assmann is similar to my piece I mentioned to you:-

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=215437

I think these are the early pieces , before A1 to 4.

Hi back Ian,

You've got yourself an original type 1 Assmann there, and a beautiful example it is. The slots for the hinge and catch are really unique. With the help of you, Mike, Marcus and Don I've received quite an educational crash course on the Assmann GAB's. The type Mike started this thread with is the second type, right, before the 1,2,3, and 4?

Robert

[Ian Lim]

Hi Robert,
Correct Mike's and my GAB "A" are before the 1 to 4.

[all1knew]

Very nice Assman. Hey, I think that is twice that I've said that today.

You're lucky the maker name is one-word.

William Kramer

[Robert P.]

I'd like to have one of these steel badges. I really wonder if there was literal die breakdown, or simply under-stamping because of the hardness of the metal being stamped. ?? Maybe a combination of both, most likely.

Robert

[vonStubben]

One premise in thought is that a steel die would wear out quicker amongst other ideas in production of this badge.

Even my example dosen't show the obverse pebbling to the best degree either in leaves and at the 12 o'clock postion on the wreath esp.

In fact mine is pretty much the same in detail, but not the finish - I need an upgrade !!!

This is a picture out of Michael Tuckers "big" book. This steel Assmann badge was purchased by me in the mid 1990's and I sold it to Tucker for his book. When I purchased it, it was poo pooed by all who saw it (except for Tucker and myself), that is until Tucker put it in his book and everyone started looking at them differently. It, as well as the one which started this thread, had all the standerd features of an Assmann made badge (which made us certain of it's originality), such as the hinge, pin, and especially the catch. The nice one being featured in this thread is definately an original badge, and a very nice one to boot. The one in Tuckers book had two factory made repairs where the die had actually fractured this badge. These open fractures were repaired with a zinc fill. If you look at the head of the stick grenade you will see one of these repairs (which were done perfectly). I can't remember where the other repair was made because it has been a long time since I owned this badge. This particular badge was probably one of the last badges made because of the damage to the die, but it shows you how long they used damaged dies and what they did to repair the badges produced by such a die.

I don't know who the lucky fellow was who purchased the badge from Tucker's book, but I do know that he sold it on his site shortly after his book was printed.

Regards,

Chuck

PS: The below caption: "Steel was not employed in the manufacture of General Assault badges"., just goes to show everyone how things can change within this community because of our day and age of the computer and the sharing of information. Again I use my mantra, "NEVER, say NEVER!", when it comes to what we do.