FAKE WARNING: hollow IAB (B.H. Mayer)

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear fellow collectors,

I want to present some evidence gathered from the observation of web auctions. You will have to decide for yourself if this evidence is enough proof for you or not.

It has come to my attention that hollow IABs of the B.H. Mayer design (ORIGINAL BADGES discussed and shown here: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ad.php?t=52087 )
are now faked and coming from the same source as the fake "blob" Frank & Reif hollow PABs. These fakes are all very well done but there are some things to tell apart good from bad. I won´t go into details, just an obvious one: this round wire catch is bogus. These B.H. Mayer design IAB ORIGINALS have very specific catches, no matter if the original is made of Buntmetall or zinc!

Let the pics do the talking, make the connection for yourself. First badge is a FAKE. Note catch and unique characteristics of the FINISH:

[Frank Heukemes]

reverse fake#1

[Frank Heukemes]

This is fake #2, every bit the same as fake #1 (another badge though). Seller of badge one and seller of badge 2 are probably one and the same, although they have different user names. I made that connection because of the way their pics are named. Note again round wire catch and strange, wrong finish.

[Frank Heukemes]

reverse of fake 2:

[Frank Heukemes]

Now same seller also offers this PAB (known fake with "blob" next to barrel). Note SAME finish:

[Frank Heukemes]

Reverse of fake PAB with same wrong finish (too coppery):

[Frank Heukemes]

Same seller still, now the silver variation of this fake IAB:

[Frank Heukemes]

reverse of silver fake IAB BH Mayer style:

[Frank Heukemes]

In my opinion some of the best fakes available.

Now it is time to show the ORIGINALS. First an early brass IAB of that design. Note that badge did not receive any finish, the brass already gave it the right appearance. Note catch!

[Frank Heukemes]

reverse of Buntmetall ORIGINAL #1. No hinge plate on this one of course.

[Frank Heukemes]

ORIGINAL #2 in ZINK

THIS is what the fake tries to be. Note very different finish, note very different catch. But catch is THE SAME as on the original Buntmetall badge. Note lack of hinge plate, even on the ZINC original:

[Frank Heukemes]

reverse of ZINC original#2:

[Glenn McInnes]

Great info Frank Thanks very much for sharing, Glenn

[Philippe DB]

Dear Frank,


Good detective work and I agree 100% with you that all badges you posted are fakes. Compared to the originals the finish, the non cut-swas and the lack of detailing on the K98 are the best give aways.

However I don't think we should use the catch as a give away. Alltough most of the originals come with a flat wire catch, as far as I'm concerned this isn't always the case.

Here is what I concider to be my unmarked BH Mayer with round wire catch and wrap arround hinge that is neatly soldered to the badge without using the wraps as a base plate like on the copies you posted.

KR
Philippe

PS. Just noticed that I was writing my respons while you where still busy posting so of course not all the badges you posted are fakes

[Philippe DB]

reverse