Magnetic hollow Assmann GAB

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear all,

Some of us have these magnetic (!) hollow Assmann marked GABs. I have recently acquired two of them and am a bit puzzled.
One is darkened and has some obverse rust rot, especially in the bayonet area. Note: Practically no pebbling to wreath and wreath leaves on the obverse, but clearly visible inthe reverse die.

The other one is mint, but has some very peculiar pitting all over the badge. Now, sceptic voices will say this are signs of a casting, but explain why the pin also has this pitting? The pin would surely not be cast if this was a cast copy. No signs of rust removal, this badge is mint except for that pitting.
Could this be something caused during the production process?
Note that this second badge has fine pebbling detail to wreath and wreath leaves on the obverse, which the first badge has not!

The weight and measurements on both is identical, btw.

[Frank Heukemes]

reverse first badge

[Frank Heukemes]

Obverse second badge

[Frank Heukemes]

reverse second badge

[Frank Heukemes]

Same strange pitting evident on pin and catch. Except for the pitting itself, there are no other signs of deterioration in these pits, like discloration or oxydization.

[Don D.]

Frank, could the second badge have been refinished?

Are these made of steel? if so I think the loss of detail on the first badge could be the die wearing out from striking hard metal.

Don

[Peter Wiking]

Hi Frank.
Here is my Assman steel/magnetic GAB.
Hight: 53.4 mm
Width: 42.6 mm

Peter Wiking

[Peter Wiking]

Back:

[Peter Wiking]

Marking:

[Frank Heukemes]

@Don: No, no refinished badge. The finish you see is 100% original to the badge, that is the strange thing. It is not a painted or washed on finish, much stronger and more perfect than that and it was obviously done before the soldering (see discoloration around hinge and catch). And yes, both my badges are made of steel.

@Peter: Thanks for another example. Do I see slight pitting on the obverse wings?

[Peter Wiking]

=Frank H
@Peter: Thanks for another example. Do I see slight pitting on the obverse wings?

Yes, that is pitting in my opinion. Same effect on the needle.

Cheers.
Peter Wiking

[Mark S.]

very odd. A couple thoughts..

I wouldnt be so sure that the hardware was soldered on after the badges was finished, as the acid flux in the solder could have had an adverse reaction to the finish.

It would appear that if these are magnetic, they are either cast out of iron or stamped out of steel. Is it even possible to cast steel? I thought it was rolled out in sheets or billet form?

What is strange to me is that I cant consider that either one of Franks badges would be suitable for issue. The first one is missing so much detail, and the second one is full of pits....I couldnt imagine a modern $1.49 keychain fob released on the market with the imperfections like the second one, and since we know that the first one should have the pebbling, but doesnt, surely the manufacturer would to. We are talking serious die clogging here.

Do you know what I think off when I look at these badges? Cast offs or post war manufacture on original dies. I dont mean to put down your badges Frank, but things just dont add up.

[Frank Heukemes]

No problem Mark. I posted the badges here because they do not make sense to me and I wanted opinions. I am also uncertain about these badges.
Having said that, I have seen WORSE detailed GABs in veteran groups from other unknown makers in zinc. Some original GABs are amazingly bad looking.

[Frank Heukemes]

We are going a little off topic, but check out these two GABs, both 100% original. Check out the pitting and bad detailing. On the right badge SOME of it is due to zinc rot, but not all, check the swastica e.g.
Looks like the result of bad quality die casting.

[Frank Heukemes]

close up left badge