While I have had an interest, Third Reich badges are not my specially, and I’ve seen comments regarding a few things that I’m puzzled about. I’ve seen references to “buntmetall”. which I’m assuming means nonferrous. But seems to be nonspecific as to what the base metal is like copper, brass, zinc (etc.) Is that a correct interpretation?
Also, especially for the badges like some of those late “bronze” examples from the Hermann Aurich company. I’ve seen “chocolate” or “dark chocolate” used to describe the matt sometimes very dark copper/brown frosted finish on late badges. While the colors more commonly seen in this era are silver, gold, various grays, and black. Phosphate coatings by their nature can be (and were) dyed, and I’m wondering if that was what some of the makers did to them color some of them, especially the late badges? Or did they use some other kind of process to color them? FP
Also, especially for the badges like some of those late “bronze” examples from the Hermann Aurich company. I’ve seen “chocolate” or “dark chocolate” used to describe the matt sometimes very dark copper/brown frosted finish on late badges. While the colors more commonly seen in this era are silver, gold, various grays, and black. Phosphate coatings by their nature can be (and were) dyed, and I’m wondering if that was what some of the makers did to them color some of them, especially the late badges? Or did they use some other kind of process to color them? FP
With a little more research - it seems to be a generic term used when referring to copper based alloys. Which makes sense in the context of describing the outward appearance.
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