Latest Addition - L56 IAB

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys,

Here is a recent purchase. I had been looking for a nice L56 for a while, I just love the detail on these and finally found a nice one that was reasonably priced. I am wondering about the catch though, it is flat wire and not round wire like all the other F&BL IABs I have on file. Does anyone else have a flat wire F&BL IAB in their collection?

At first I didn't see this as a big deal because all the F&BL CCCs had flat wire catches and my L56 Uboat also utilizes a flat wire catch so I know they used them. However, all of the catches on my F&BL CCCs and uboat are brass and non-magnetic. The catch on this IAB is magnetic however, so I also find that a bit strange and starting to wonder if the catch is a replacement.

I see silver finish on the top of the catch and the catchplate, so I doubt its a replacement. No real signs of new solder, looks very similar to the solder for the hinge area.

I can't really see how this would be a reproduction either, so my thought is that this could be a pretty late war variant, using steel hardware. Pin is also magnetic and if you look at the bayonet handle, it shows a very worn down die where the details aren't very crisp. What do you guys think?

Tom

[Thomas Durante]

Catch

[ardennes1944]

Hi Tom,

wunderful addition in your collection

Regards

Phil.

[bh84]

nice

very nice iab

[Marc Garlasco]

Congrats Tom

[Sammler]

Tom,

Great L/56. I keep missing out on these.

Congrats

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys, thanks for the replies.

An interesting turn of events to this thread popped up yesterday. Another collector put up for sale 4 IABs he recently found at a show this past weekend, and low and behold there was a silver L/56 among them with the same exact flatwire catch! When I first saw it, I thought he mistakenly mixed up the images with my badge, but sure enough its a different badge. So, with two of these now found, I think it is pretty safe to say that F&BL indeed used some flatwire catches on a few of their L/56 marked IABs.

He also confirmed that the hardware is magnetic, just like mine so I think have just found a new variant to the F&BL IABs. What are the chances that no one has seen one of these IABs with a flatwire catch in 60+ years, but now have just found 2 of them within the span of 1 week?? Pretty amazing IMO.

Here are the pics of the badge that sold yesterday.

Tom

[Blued]

Nice addition Tom.

[Alex K.]

I can throw in a picutre of another one i had in 2008.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys,

Alex, that does indeed look like another one with flatwire catch, thanks for posting her. So I think we definately have a new F&BL variant to add to the list. Not surprising to find multiple variations with this maker, they were one of the most prolific makers of CCCs and their unmarked IABs aren't terribly hard to find IMO.

Tom

[Lexy]

That indeed is a cool turn of events Tom.
Congratz on a very nice badge.


I wonder who the new owner of the other L/56 is?

[Tim Curley]

I just happened upon this thread and out of curiosity dug into my IABs to see what my "L/56" examples looked like. Turns out all 3 have flat wire catches. Never really thought about it until this thread.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Tim,

Well, why does that NOT surprise me?? Like Mr Hritz, you also have a huge sock drawer full of interesting and rare badges..........but 3 of these with flat wire catches?? I just find it more and more amazing that none of these have really popped up until now. I have dozens on file, all of which have the round wire catch so I am really surprised that no one had payed attention to this before. That is what I love about this hobby, we find something new every week it seems.

Thanks guys.

Tom

[fischer]

Hi Tom

I would have sworn your example had a repaired catch...Obviously it is not. I as well have never seen this flat wire catch, as all four of my examples and my four file pics all have round wire catches.

Congrats on getting this one...Another variant for me to look for!

Tim, are any of your flat wire examples a bronze variant?

Best Regards, fischer

[Giel VW]

One for you Tom