Legion Condor Tank badge

[Richard]

Actually, when I opened two windows, side by side, to compare the two badges, I do see some differences. Specifically the two lower bones on the right and left have different shapes on the ends, the lower tails of the ribbon seem also to have a different configuration and their seems to be a larger gap between the bottom of the tank and the wreath on Robin's.
Richard V

[mmiller]

Hi Richard,

More more for the comparison & files:

Mark

[Alexhip]

Hello.
Hope, my poor input will be useful.

Good Luck.
Alex.

[AlikN]

Here is another with so called "Wiedmann type in hardware" or type two LCTB, I see them with round wire and square cutoff type catch, DN's catalog and Forman's book both have round wire catch on their pictures, but I read somewhere on one of the forums that both types are probably OK,
...and here is another thread to check out .

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=148132

......

[AlikN]

...and the badge on the left posted by Mark in post 17, is all together different strike from type-2 LCTB, the closest, but not from the same die, leaves don't have a small dots in that design.

[Richard]

Thanks to everyone's input on this badge. Based on all the pictures provided, I still see a lot of differences even with the badges that were posted as being from the same maker to make me feel comfortable telling my friend this has a chance. The bones, the ribbon, the catch, etc. all makes me feel uncomfortable labeling this badge as original. Thanks again for all the posted badges but I have yet to find one that matches this.
Richard V

[Richard]

I was hoping for a few more comments on this badge due to the inconsistancies I see with the others posted for comparison. Can those differences be due to hand finishing being less/more robust in certain areas? Another piece of information my friend supplied. I haven't been able to hold this badge but he stated he thinks the hinge/pin have been replaced at some point.
Richard V

[andrewb]

Richard,
If it's any help, here is the link to my CLTB although I think its a different maker.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=281351

Regards,
AB.

[AlikN]

Here is my opinion on the type of LCTB that started this thread, by looking at this picture I see that all badges came out from the same dies in different times, and have some differences due to the hand finish of the edges. I don't know if the dies were wearing out or breaking, but as you can see quality of the strike is getting worse, specially noticeable around the eyes. Also this type of badge showing up with a variety of pins and catch assembly, my opinion - because original pin assembly is a dead give away who the maker and when, ...early badge#1 has very nice crisp details and original pin and catch assembly which is typical postwar Souval production, I also saw a late badge like #4 with the same type postwar Souval pin and catch assembly (I maybe able to get a pictures of it next month at the local gun show), only catch on later badge was attached to the tank not to the bow. Involvement of Souval in production would explain quality of the strike, specially on early badges is very good, ...only the pin and catch assembly is "ugly", ...so fakers replacing Souval hardware with whatever they can find or have something made, ...some do better job then other.

[AlikN]

Here is closeup of the catch from badge #1

[AlikN]

Reverse #1

[AlikN]

Here are the dots details of the scull on earlier badges, compare it to the one you have, only on later ones maybe not so crisp or not all dots visible, but the ones you are be able to see on yours should be identical.

[Richard]

Thanks for everyone's contribution. The badge is being sent to me and I'll be able to make some better scans.
Richard V

[AlikN]

... I also saw a late badge like #4 with the same type postwar Souval pin and catch assembly (I maybe able to get a pictures of it next month at the local gun show), only catch on later badge was attached to the tank not to the bow...

Here is AJBJ found one of the later strikes with catch on the tank, ...before I got those pics.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru....php?p=2893537

[Robin Lumsden]

Here is my opinion on the type of LCTB that started this thread, by looking at this picture I see that all badges came out from the same dies in different times, and have some differences due to the hand finish of the edges. I don't know if the dies were wearing out or breaking, but as you can see quality of the strike is getting worse, specially noticeable around the eyes. Also this type of badge showing up with a variety of pins and catch assembly, my opinion - because original pin assembly is a dead give away who the maker and when, ...early badge#1 has very nice crisp details and original pin and catch assembly which is typical postwar Souval production, I also saw a late badge like #4 with the same type postwar Souval pin and catch assembly (I maybe able to get a pictures of it next month at the local gun show), only catch on later badge was attached to the tank not to the bow. Involvement of Souval in production would explain quality of the strike, specially on early badges is very good, ...only the pin and catch assembly is "ugly", ...so fakers replacing Souval hardware with whatever they can find or have something made, ...some do better job then other.

Very interesting.
Nice comparisons and analysis.