Bronze Daisy PAB

[Greg]

Another "daisy" coming out of the woodwork today. A seldom-encountered bronze semi-hollow version. On the following photos, note the incised "daisy," the cross-hatched area on the background of the wings beside the legs, and the die mark on the left side of the wreath on the back. This mark has been on every semi-hollow daisy I've handled.

What do you think?

Regards,
Greg

[Greg]

The "die mark" on the back of the wreath isn't what I would call a die flaw, it's just a raised horizontal line of metal that goes from the inside of the wreath toward the outside that results from the way the reverse die was made, but I haven't seen a semi-hollow daisy without it.

Greg

[Chet Sowersby]

Greg,
Nice daisy!

[Greg]

I should have supplied more information about this one, and I wasn't trying to be tricky. I have some serious reservations about this one. It looks really GOOD in photos; real close to what a semi-hollow daisy is supposed to look like, with the exception of some fuzzy detail around the right side roadwheels where they go up into the track. This area doesn't have the detail of the other semi-hollow "daisies" I've seen.

But this one feels really BAD in the hand! It doesn't "feel like" zinc, and I'm sure you know what I mean. There is no wear anywhere to show the base metal except where the top end of the pin hits the back when closed (to put spring tension on the pin). The worn spot there shows silver like zinc would, but it just doesn't feel right.

Also, here are the dimensions of thsi one, compared to three other semi-hollow daisies I've owned:

This one:
59.1mm x 40.5mm 21.6g

Others:
60.0mm x 41.8mm 29.8g
60.7 mm x 41.4mm 30.7g
60.1mm x 41.5mm 30.3g

I could live with the bronze one being almost one mm shorter and narrower than the norm, but where did the missing 8-9 g of weight go?

Maybe I'm paranoid, but are we looking at a clever new fake?

Regards,
Greg

[Philippe DB]

Dear Greg,


I wouldn't worry about this badge it's an original as far as I'm concerned.

I have to admit that at first glance I also had the impression the total picture looked a little fuzzy and less detailed, at least as far as the obverse is concerned, than on most daisy's.

I'm not at home at the moment so I can't compare measurements, but I'll do that tonight.

IMO the fact that it is such a lightweight might well be the reason why the detail is less crisp than on others. We already know of badges for which they used to much material (WH IAB recently posted, Zimmermann Monster PAB) so I suppose the opposite was possible too.

However the detailing that is visible is just perfect, down to the exact type of finish and reverse hardware for these badges. If I'm not mistaken I think I can also see some traces of zinc oxidation on your badge (e.g, just under the gun, in the swas, between the eagles claws, to the right of the lright lower wing tip just on the wreath, on the eagles left sholder). If these are what I think they are, little powdery white/green zinc oxidation cristals, than you definately have no reason to worry

A little out of the ordinary but original IMO.

KR
Philippe

[Greg]

Dear Philippe,

Thanks much! Heck of a deal for $80 from a show dealer, then!

The areas you mentioned aren't zinkpest as I've ever seen it before, more like "blurring" of the finish that reflect the light differently, but I'll rest easy. Keeping this one makes me have to move on to a second PAB display case, though.

Best regards,
Greg

[Philippe DB]

Dear Greg,


$80 that's about €62!

If you ever start doubting it again you know where to find me, I'll pay shipping

KR
Philippe