PAB Bronze, Opinions? Maker?

[dc9]

Hello All,

Sorting out a bunch of stuff that included this PAB. I am never lucky enough to find something this beautiful, so, naturally, I have doubts. The hinge is unusual to me. Any opinions would be helpful. Is the maker Assmann?

Thank you,

Eric

[dc9]

Details

[Bruce Simcox]

Hi Eric......

......Unfortunately what you have is a documented FAKE. It is based on a badge produced by Hermann Aurich. The tell tale give-aways of this badge are:
the ball hinge &
the incorrectly placed maker-mark(should be behind the swaz).
I was once caught by one of these.

[Don D.]

Bruce is correct.
Sorry.

[panzermania]

Hi,
I agree, a bad one.

Best regards

Valentin

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys,

I can only agree, a very well known fake. Incidently, this same ball hinge fake was made by the same guys that made the "very rare", but also fake MH PABs (and CCCs for that matter). Here is the MH PAB, I circled 5 areas to compare with the ball hinge fake that started this thread:

1. Vertical die flaw in the middle of the tank window on fakes. Originals do not have this flaw.

2. Big ball die flaw on the eagle's right talon on both fakes. Not on originals.

3. Smooth cut-out under the cannon on the fakes. Originals have a sharp step.

4. Missing 2 central vertical tank chains in the top tank tread. Originals have this quite clearly.

5. Difference in grass pattern alignment. Its the exact same on the fakes, but its different than original Aurichs.

I will also post an original Aurich PAB, courtesy of Robert Pierce's fine collection.

Tom

[Thomas Durante]

Reverse of FAKE MH PAB.

[Thomas Durante]

Original Aurich PAB.

[dc9]

Tom,

Thank you for the very thorough examination and explanation. This is very helpful for vetting out future prospects!

Eric

[stewy]

Sorry a fake for me too. Stewy

[1corps]

Eric, sorry this is a bad one. You were not alone though, I made the same mistake myself. I bought this fake example also at a show years ago. I did not find out until last year when I joined the forum. Mike.

[dc9]

Thanks, All. I knew I couldn't be this lucky!