Advice on a Hermann Aurich PAB in silver

[Don D.]

Really? The way that hinge is done reminds me more of how the hero started faking the ball-hinge badges.

[Eddie]

The badge that started this thread looks original IMO it has all the features that would be expected from Aurich,i cant say much about hinge,definitely looks wrong but IMO it is manufacture problem.
If you ask Barry for weight and measurements that would give us better idea what it is.

regards,

Eddie

[Bruce Simcox]

......

......Eddie. You are correct that weights and measurements will help to dispel this anomaly. I put more faith on measurements though.

The hinge is what got my attention, and I made my call based on that. The front of the badge looks good and the finish seems to be ok.

My intent was not to inpugn the integrity of the dealer here, but was, and still is, an opinion based on what is evident, not on speculation. Unless I could study that badge 'in hand' to make a more comprehensive analysis it will remain, for me, a curiosity that I wouldn't want in my collection.

The following FAKE badge does share some characteristics with the one offered for appraisal. I think, unless demonstrated otherwise, that the badge in question could be a brother to the following turkey, without the sloppy mash job done to the crimp.

I would rather be shown to be in error, but the badge for appraisal needs to have the questions concerning it's construction properly explained.

[Eddie]

Hi Bruce,
the fakers of the badge you showing did a really good job but i see some features that they missed fortunately for us.
The triangular shaped feathers on the neck of the eagle is perfectly lined,on the original they of center and Barry's example is all correct in the obverse,this is why i think his badge is good.
I also think the weight could be little off on Berry's since hinge has been repaired or fixed by manufacturer.

regards,

Eddie

[Greg]

I think the badge that started the thread (GRA1883 on the site) is good, with its hardware, but something definitely happened to the hinge crimp. Without an in-hand examination, it would seem that the crimp wasn't properly finished. Me personally, I would wait for a better Aurich (lots out there).

The other Aurich (GRA1935) and the AS Triangle (GRA1594) are good, as long as you don't mind what appears to be a real crack starting across the AS Triangle. Better photos of the FLL (GRA1378) would be needed; from the photos the hinge and catch both look strange.

But .... $400 for common PABs like this? I must be getting old

Best,
Greg

[Bruce Simcox]

Well......

.......the jury, for me, is still out on the HA.

However......do we have any opinions on the following offering?

http://www.emedals.ca/catalog.asp?item=GRA1386#bigPic

[Giel VW]

The HA is 100% good Bruce

The badge you show us now is total crap on the other hand!

[Don D.]

2 dot fake.

[Bruce Simcox]

.......

......Hi Don,

I thought I could see the two dots, but on my monitor those dark images hosted by the dealer aren't very clear. I put that link up in response to this earlier statement :

Barry and his staff at eMedals are some of the best people in this hobby.

Now, again, I don't mean to impugn them, but it seems their vetting process needs addressing. Maybe those are the only two items that have somehow slipped through the cracks. I also understand that no one is perfect.

But .... $400 for common PABs like this? I must be getting old

Greg....there is an alleged(again very dark images) bronze CCC that can be purchased from them at that very price. A badge that is much rarer than a common PAB. PAB's must be 'in vogue' now.

I also cannot help but wonder how many more of these uncrimped, HA PAB's are out there. If it was a manufacturing breakdown, that affected production rates, then certainly we should see more of them.......no? Does anyone even have one, or seen one to date?

Unless, of course, it turns out to be a super-rare one-off variant.....for like maybe a sample board.....or a test run? But, as Giel has pointed out:

Most likely the hinge was repaired afterwards, or the factory crimp failed and they filled the hole up with solder.

We'll probably never really know, but I will also say that the possibility exists to suggest that this HA(if genuine) may have been completed post war.......assembled from spare parts, hence the uncompleted crimp.

Regards,

[christof]

This morning the postman come with the 2 books of Philippe de Bock "PAB of WW II". Fantastic books and nice weapon to find and examine PAB.