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    #1

    Education ? - Metal Types

    Hi Guys,

    Maybe someone can help me out. I always struggle when trying to figure out the metal types: zinc, buntmetal,tombak, etc. I was looking at Detlev's site this AM and was looking at the new WBs, for example, and he shows a zinc one and a tombak one. To be honest I can't see the difference. I hate to appear stupid, but.........

    1) Can you show me the different characteristics of each, so I can tell.

    2) Is there a way to "clean-up" a zinc WB for example, or tombac? etc...

    As always, thanks in advance.

    Jeff
    Tags: None
    #2
    Originally posted by teutonen(Jeff) View Post
    Hi Guys,

    Maybe someone can help me out. I always struggle when trying to figure out the metal types: zinc, buntmetal,tombak, etc. I was looking at Detlev's site this AM and was looking at the new WBs, for example, and he shows a zinc one and a tombak one. To be honest I can't see the difference. I hate to appear stupid, but.........

    1) Can you show me the different characteristics of each, so I can tell.

    2) Is there a way to "clean-up" a zinc WB for example, or tombac? etc...

    As always, thanks in advance.

    Jeff

    Jeff, the tombak or buntmetal badges were early war badges, produced when raw materials were plentiful. Tombak is a mix of copper and zinc. Basically, it's a non-ferrous metal. It is heavier than zinc, and held it's finishes quite well. Zinc, on the other hand was used when raw materials were getting harder to find, borders were being cut off. Zinc badges went through an evolutionary process. Many were silver plated during the mid war period, and were appealing. Late war zinc badges were simply die forged, and a wash applied. Very late war the die cast method was employed, and once again a wash/lacquer was applied. Zinc badges were very detailed because of their fluid state when forged.

    Special precautions should be observed when 'cleaning up' a badge. Mild soapy water and a very soft toothbrush works well. Hot air dried is advised after rinsing. There is a conservation forum which deals with this subject. Most prefer to leave the badge in an uncleaned state to preserve remaining finish.

    Comment

      #3
      this is a good thread.

      Jeff, although you didnt ask, other materials such as Aluminum (Juncker early war Pilot badges), Iron (Iron Cross cores), or Brass (Brass-core Iron Crosses) were also used apart from Tombak, Zinc and Buntmetal.

      Comment

        #4
        And yes, Robert is right, the conservation forum is the best place to know about cleaning up and the dos and dont's. Also tells about humifying agents, washing, lacquering and repairs.

        i have to say that i prefer to keep my collections intact and as it is. Only did try to clean up two pieces very long ago and I no longer do this. I prefer to preserve my collections as it is.

        Comment

          #5
          Hi Jeff,

          this is not fool proof but zinc badges in a majority of cases has a plate on the hardware set up which was then soldered to the zinc badge because of the porous metal zinc infact is and this technique wasn´t used on tombak because they soldered the set up directly on to the tombak badges without plates.

          I hope that made sense to you
          Regards
          Hans N

          Don´t throw away your fake WB´s! Get in touch with me.
          I collect them for reference purposes for the benefit of the hobby (for the right "fake" price of course).

          Comment

            #6
            Before tombak was used, nickel silver was used on many combat and flight badges. And, before nickel silver, aluminum was used. There's a lot to learn, but it will all come in time as you expose yourself to the screen 24/7 like the rest of us do.

            What Hans was explaining about the pin assemblies on zinc badges is there was an extra plate added between the badge itself and the catch to insure adeqate soldering surface. On the early badges the catches were soldered directly to the badge without the need for the catchplate. The hinges were the same in principal. A large flat surface was incorporated into the hinge to ensure adequate surface for fusion. When you see a catchplate under a catch you can usually say it is a zinc piece. There are some exceptions like the Wiedmann EKI, which used the plate despite the fact that their cross was made from nickel silver, and could have done nicely without the plate. Here's an example of a zinc piece with the round catchplate. Notice also how the back of the hinge has been built where there's a large flat area for soldering fusion to the badge...
            Attached Files

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              #7
              Now, notice on this buntmetal badge the catch and hinge are soldered directly to the badge. This is because the tombak hinge and catch solder efficiently to the non-ferrous buntmetal - no need for a catchplate....
              Attached Files

              Comment

                #8
                Some zinc badges had oblong catchplates for even greater strength...
                Attached Files

                Comment

                  #9
                  When raw resourses were plentiful many makers made their combat and flight badges out of the silvery-colored nickel silver. It had a high nickel content. These are very desirable.
                  Attached Files

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Some dealers us the term 'buntmetal' as a generic term, meaning anything but zinc. Some use 'non-ferrous' rather than 'buntmetal'. So you have to be able to recognize the characteristic features which make up a zinc badge and a 'buntmetal' badge. I think zinc is known to be a non-ferrous (iron-free) metal in itself, but we still use the term 'non-ferrous' to denote anything but zinc.

                    You'll even find some zinc badges that have their catch fitted into a recess, which is then filled with hot solder. The appearance is deceptive because you don't see a round, square or oblong catchplate. Here's an example...
                    Attached Files

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Robert, Hans,Military: thank you guys for educating me. This will help. Robert, thank you additionally for the wonderful picture examples - they help a lot.

                      Best regards,
                      Jeff

                      Comment

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