Ron P's "A" GAB Revisited

[Stormfighter]

Ron P is a friend of mine. I visited him last night and he let me take home the "A" marked GAB that he originally posted on the following link:

Opinions Needed From The Badge Experts - Wehrmacht-Awards.com Militaria Forums

I am certainly not a badge expert, but I find it hard to believe that the "A" has been added later. This is a deep stamp that has the same silver finish in the recess of the letter. I would also think that if this letter were added, that there would be some kind of indication of the post-manufuacture stamping on the front of the badge, which there isn't. Is it possible that the badge could have been made by a subcontractor of Assmann? Perhaps it's not an Assmann at all? This badge comes from an old collection and although in today's market the Assmann mark commands a higher price, I don't think it did so much twenty or more years ago and can't imagine why anyone would add it then. If this "A" has been added, it was done by a master. I just wanted to mention these things and continue the discussion. As I said, I am not a badge expert - I just need a bit more convincing. Thanks in advance!

Barry

[Stormfighter]

Reverse

[Stormfighter]

Marking

[Don D.]

Assman had at least 4 solid GAB dies so I doubt they needed to use a subcontractor. Perhaps it has been refinished.

[Stormfighter]

Thanks Don. Perhaps it could be another maker? I really, really don't think it's been refinished. I really wish you could see it in person. The finish is consitent and has beautiful aging to it.

[Ron P]

Assman had at least 4 solid GAB dies so I doubt they needed to use a subcontractor. Perhaps it has been refinished.

Hi Don. I find it hard to believe it was refinished. In hand it has everything going for it. I personally would not rule out a subcontractor. Big contract commitments, skilled labor shortages etc. The badge was picked up 30+ years ago. Regards, Ron.

[Don D.]

Ron, all the other dies had the same obverse design and it wasn't this one.

[Don D.]

The mark doesn't look right either. Where is the top horizontal arm?

[Don D.]

Or the fact that all other heer badges have a raised mark, not a stamped one...

[Don D.]

Check out the flak badge in this thread: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ghlight=Assman

[Ron P]

You think the badge is has been "enhanced"? Ron.

[Don D.]

Now, compare those marks to the one on this badge: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ghlight=Assman

[Don D.]

The mark is not correct for Assman, the badge is not correct for Assman. The badge is an unknown maker #12 starting on page 304 of Frank's book.

[Ron P]

Don I'm confused!

[VonLuger]

Ron its a good badge unknown maker#12, 1.29.1 ..the maker mark is post war attempt at the assmann logo added to enhance value to the ignorant..