Hi Daniel,
Rubbing those areas feels exactly the same as the more-worn parts, I feel no difference at all. In hand, those areas just look really dark and I am its patina or some other oxidation. If I were to dip this in tarn-X, I think it would all look exactly the same.
Also reading Phil DeBock's PAB book, he specifically mentions on page 35 that early NS Juncker's didn't receive a silver finish. I think we can all agree that he is hands down the most knowledgable collector of PABs and has handled many dozens of these Junckers, so his opinion on the matter is good enough for me. He also mentions on page 47 that the later badges that DID receive a silver finish will always show remnants of the finish in the deeper recess areas. Again, he has handled dozens and dozens of these badge and EVERY one of them had some finish remaining in the recesses. That has also been my experience with badges made with high quality nickel silver or tombak.....no matter how worn the badge is, it will always have remnants of the finish in the recesses.
Tom
Rubbing those areas feels exactly the same as the more-worn parts, I feel no difference at all. In hand, those areas just look really dark and I am its patina or some other oxidation. If I were to dip this in tarn-X, I think it would all look exactly the same.
Also reading Phil DeBock's PAB book, he specifically mentions on page 35 that early NS Juncker's didn't receive a silver finish. I think we can all agree that he is hands down the most knowledgable collector of PABs and has handled many dozens of these Junckers, so his opinion on the matter is good enough for me. He also mentions on page 47 that the later badges that DID receive a silver finish will always show remnants of the finish in the deeper recess areas. Again, he has handled dozens and dozens of these badge and EVERY one of them had some finish remaining in the recesses. That has also been my experience with badges made with high quality nickel silver or tombak.....no matter how worn the badge is, it will always have remnants of the finish in the recesses.
Tom
Like with you, it took me a few years to find one, but it was well worth the wait 
I had a conversation with a few collectors from my region about the Neusilber badges, and we all agreed that there are traces of finish on these Neusilber badges visible.
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