Sad little PAB or mean fake...

[Nordmark]

Gentlemen,

I picked this up lately. I liked the setup of the piece, and the quality was not that bad, also I liked the thought of displaying it next to a mint piece, so I grabbed it. I am usually not into ground dug pieces, but again, this one I looked nice.



So now I´d like to hear some thoughts. Is there a chance this is some sort of repro, artificially aged or a piece that has been there?



Kind regards,


Daniel

[Nordmark]

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[Nordmark]

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[Giel VW]

One would almost think this is a fake with such an amount of pitting.

The badge looks ok to me though, I wonder what ever happened to it, it's for sure not the first pitted Wiedmann I've came across.

[Don D.]

Looks ground dug to me. A few years back a bunch of these were dug up in Berlin or Potsdam by a railroad siding if I remember correctly.

[rkoy]

vasoline time!!

[Giel VW]

vasoline time!!

Not really needed here imo, as it isn't zink pest which caused the pitted obverse...

[Nordmark]

Thank you for your kind comments. I really appreciate.

Indeed I treated this piece with vasoline, just in case, you know: safety first...

[Den]

It's amazing how the hardware of many grounddug badges are in such a good condition.

Kr. Den

[Don D.]

The problem is that the zink reacts badly to chemicals in the soil. Zink is not a stable metal.

[PaulMann]

As a newly active collector, I for one, appreciate the mention of "vasoline" I just acquired my first PAB. I read the tip of the petro jelly. I had already "christened" mine, as I could almost hear it screaming of thirst. This technique will, or should, halt any dirty little chemical processes occurring, allowing only the escape of gases from the medal. Metal loves oil. Cheers! Pauli

[Giel VW]

Only the thought of rubbin' vaseline on my badges gives me the creeps

[jambobbyb]

I tried the vaseline treatment out last week on a pab afterwards the piece looked much better but i would be interested to know the long term effects of putting vaseline on a zinc award.
Needless to say i think the expensive stuff will stay dry and stored in a low humidity environment

[PaulMann]

Only the thought of rubbin' vaseline on my badges gives me the creeps

I will only try this method on my medals/tinnies in deteriorative state. as this: (I use the "oline" on things...well, let's say..close to my heart)

[VonLuger]

Booo to Vasoline-IMO vasioline also removes the Patina which makes your badge then worthless and as they say refurbished blows the smell of gun powder rocks..
I have NEVER used vasoline - I have one badge with a little zink pest it has withstood 70 years and still will looks good It will continue to survive as my bones turn to dust..Use vasoline on your Dick not on Your Badges..