Wien Flak

[Glenn McInnes]

As requested. The catch base would not fit inside the depression but the solder would hold better if applied over the top of the depression.






Glenn

[Glenn McInnes]

,.,..

[Glenn McInnes]

..,.,.,

[Marc Garlasco]

Thanks Glenn. Wish I had some insight. But I don't see anything yet that shifts me. Hopefully someday. But is it so bad to own a badge you like, even if others are unsure?
Marc

[Marc Garlasco]

Bringing this back to the top as there has been renewed discussion on these. The weight of collectors hold these as bad, and the one listed on the first page of this thread with the Souval post-war hardware helps move things more that way, but no everyone is in agreement.

Here is another thread: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...highlight=wien

And here is a line from Eric Sowersby that I think does the best job so far. Is there any mounting consensus? PLEASE SPEAK UP!
Marc

After spending some time looking at these badges and the ones on the other forum I believe them all to be fake. Here are my following reasons.

1. First, these fakes could have been made back even farther than 1962. A possible explination, which has already been brought up, is that people needed money and sold reproductions as souviners to the GI's.

2. Second, is that when they were making these reproductions using anything that they had on hand to make a buck. Thus, the variations in different badges.

3. Third, in picture number 3, the accepted version supposedly, shares many similiar traits with other badges we are calling fake. Like the first two badges displayed in this thread. Take a close look at badge number 2 in this thread and you can see, the reverse of the badge itself and not the hardware, are the same. Even though the hardware is not the same the badges are. Note, the bump on the 88 barrel is not present and the wing is the same as picture number 3, the supposedly accepted version.

4. Forth, on the hardware of the supposedly good badge has a knock in the catch. This is supposed to be the smoking gun??? How come I can not find it on other assault badges such as a PAB?

5. Fifth, as we know fakers are constantly changing their badges so they will pass for real ones. This happens all the time and this is being done currently in the PAB world and many others.

6. Finally, there are just to many variations and differences. If this was made by WH there would have been some providence. Where is it???

This is only my observation and I welcome any comments.

Eric

[Glenn McInnes]

Here is an R.S,looks very similar to this WH,Wein.




http://www.germanmilitaria.com/Heer/photos/H019459.html




Glenn

[Tom Yanacek]

Here is one that I have a good gut feeling about. (And believe me... I have not liked most of the WH Wien Flaks that I have seen over the years.) I agree that all of those flat-backed, silver painted ones are fakes. This one is made of zinc and looks to be die-forged. The badge is nicely vaulted and the reverse displays evidence of surface grinding/deburring. The hardware is typical of Luft Flaks made by WH. The dark areas around the hinge and catch look like soldering paste residue and not any kind of liquid cement.
Many times I doubted the existence of original W.H. Wien Flak Badges, but the thought always lingered that all of these fakes must have been based on some original badge. I suppose it possible that this badge (below) is some sort of new fake, but why would the forgers produce a badge with a maker mark that is already doubted by most collectors? For the time being, I am comfortable with this particular badge and believe it is completely original. Unless of course, they start showing up on every dealer's table at the shows.

Best regards,
Tom

PS: If anyone wants to examine this badge in-hand, I will be bringing it to the MAX Show. (But it is not for sale.)

This badge measures 60.03mm high x 44.67mm wide and weighs 27.3 grams.

[Tom Yanacek]

reverse:

[Tom Yanacek]

maker mark:

[Tom Yanacek]

hinge:

[Tom Yanacek]

catch:

The pin, hinge, and catch are all made of steel.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Tom,

I like what I see on that one. I really like the hinge, pin and catch, all very believable to me and them being made of steel makes perfect sense with this latewar sheetmetal hinge IMO. I also like the look of the zink pest around the hinge area and the general appearance of the badge.

Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi Tom,

I like what I see on that one. I really like the hinge, pin and catch, all very believable to me and them being made of steel makes perfect sense with this latewar sheetmetal hinge IMO. I also like the look of the zink pest around the hinge area and the general appearance of the badge.

Tom

Hello Tom,

Thanks for sharing your opinion about the badge I posted. Thirty-plus years of paranoia concerning WH Wien Flaks vanished in a matter of seconds when I saw this badge. I am convinced on the originality of this one and I can almost hear the badge talking to me. I don't think my senses have failed me on this one. Still... I hope I didn't get duped.
I will stop by and see you at the MAX so that you can take a good look at this badge.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Another thing I just now remembered is that Hobacher was known for their over-abundant use of soldering paste. Just take a look at some of their black Wound Badges.

Best regards,
Tom

[Marc Garlasco]

I look forward to seeing it at the MAX!