IAB - maker?

[Luft62]

I received this Infantry Assault Badge today direct from the vet's family (along with EK1, EK2, Winter, Wound and GAB). Depending on what light you look at in, it appears to be either Silver or Bronze. The reverse of it has what looks like remains of a silver wash so I am assuming it is a silver one (the bronze colour could be from the metal it is made from?).
What I am wondering is if anybody knows or could give me an idea as to whom the manufacturer of this badge might have been?
The detail is excellent and the "Juncker" style hinge is attached to a bordered rectangular area. Neither the hinge, pin or clasp are magnetic.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.

[Jan Arne S]

Hi Tim !
Nice IAB !
Looks like a unmarked Fritz Zimmermann , Stuttgart .

Jan Arne

[Philippe DB]

Hi Jan,

Sorry to disagree with you. But this for sure is not an unmarked Zimmermann. I agree that it shows the typical hinge and catch setup found on these badges but the layout of the IAB shown is clearly different from the Zimmermann layout (Eagle, Gun, wreath).

Untill now I never have seen another one of these IAB's so it would be interesting to know if somebody else has such a badge in his collection. Anyway In my opinion it is an original badge.

KR
Philippe

[Jan Arne S]

Hi Phillippe !
You are right ! They are different on front ! My mistake .
Could this be the reason also on the PAB`S that are not so sharp on front , one more maker ?.

Jan Arne

[Philippe DB]

Hi Jan,

Don't know who made these but if we follow the same rule as we do on the PAB's and on the luft GAB then based upon the hinge and pin setup, it should be Juncker. A little far fetched?

And if it isn't Juncker then our theory on the Juncker/Zimmermann PAB's falls apart because this would be prove that yet another maker used this specific hinge and catch setup.

I don't realy remember if I have ever seen such an IAB with this setup so it would be nice to see some more of these

KR
Philippe

PS. I Think we should focus on the eagles head that is quit typical on this badge. Does anybody have a marked IAB with a similar Eagle head?

[Jan Arne S]

Hi Phillippe !
Compared with Juncker PAB`s , I have not seen Juncker PAB`s with round wire on catch .

Jan Arne

[Philippe DB]

Good point you have there Jan.

I didn't notice that. Also on the unmarked Luft GAB and on the unmarked Juncker Heer flak you will always find the catch made from flat wire.

So what are we looking at here

KR
Philippe

[Luft62]

See next post...

[Luft62]

Forget about the "bronze" colour I mentioned before - it would appear that was just a trick of the light I was viewing it under at the time.
I have checked the clasp to see if perhaps it is a replacement hook but it looks like it is definately the original hook and plate.
Also, I did a bit of a test to see how strong this wire hook is and it is VERY strong.
I checked through this sites Image Library of IABs and the IAB pictured in the 3rd page/top right "Late war zinc IAB with Juncker like hinge" appears to be an exact match for this one - except for its flat-wire catch. Here are the pics of the image library example.



Are they the same? If so, is it possible that a round wire hook was used instead of a flat wire hook simply because that was what was available (or closest) at the time?

[Philippe DB]

Hi Tim,

Yes thats the same badge, yours retains some more finish but definitely a match.

All in favour of calling this one a Juncker IAB, rais your hand!

KR
Philippe

[Luft62]

I have checked these two badges bump for bump, contour for contour and they are the same.
If we are sure the IAB in the image library is a Juncker piece then I would agree that my badge is also a Juncker made piece. Since I have very little experience of Juncker characteristics on badges other than that of the LW qualification type I am going to have to keep my vote to a "don't know".