Buntmetall Juncker IAB

[Panzercracker]

Hi all. Thought I'd share my latest acquisition... a very rare and early buntmetall Juncker IAB. You can see the brass base metal peeking though the stock of the rifle, including the right foot. Fantastic detail, nicely balanced and has a fair amount of the powdery finish. Total weight = 15.9g

[Panzercracker]

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[Christopher G.]

Nice addition Ken...on to more important things though...I have seen scales like the one you have but they are only in the possession of dealers and I am not talking militaria dealers. So what is you occupation again...?

Just kidding...really nice addition.

Regards,
Chris G.

[Panzercracker]

Thanks Chris. The scale is a friend of mine's, who happens to be a Jeweller. It is a "Legal Trade" scale and 100% accurate.

[manse77]

Hi Ken,

Great new addition and certainly looks like buntmetal from the photos. I've never seen one before so a first for me. Nice one

Regards

Rhidian

[Panzercracker]

Thanks Rhidian. It's a 1st for me too. I've only heard of such a fabled badge on the GCA, but here it is, in the flesh, so to speak. Compared to any of the 3 other variations I've owned, this one is indeed the sweetest. My pics below aren't descriptive enough, but will post a couple more for better posterity. The badge is richly silver plated over a strong tombak/brass alloy and has a beautiful mellow hue. Originally, this badge would have had the "schnee" finish and can be seen in the recesses and on the reverse (very mellowed). ---Actually all 4 Juncker IABs I've owned are completely different!

[Panzercracker]

Better pics...

[blutundehre]

Very sweet Juncker Ken, Great score

[Panzercracker]

Thanks Dave. The seller listed it as a nickel silver, but this one is made thinner than the nickel silver type. They pretty much matched up the weight to it's neusilbler brother. What I mean by this is the metal (Tombak) is denser than nickel silver, but they made it thinner to match the weight of a NS. I didn't know 100% until I received it... then I knew for sure. The plating is silver (higher sterling content than NS) --thickly applied and has mellowed to a nice goldish hue, which is a bonus since I've seen similar hues on "brennlac coated" badges (like my Vienna hollowback). I'm sure other collectors have one, but may not even know. Mine has just enough wear to say "been there" and "I'm made of buntmetall". I didn't see any tombak peeking out from the initial photos provided by the seller, but as you can see from my pics, it sure is a buntmetall piece. Rare.

[Jan Arne S]

Very nice Hollow IAB from Juncker , Ken

And I know that You soon will get a NS

Jan Arne

[Panzercracker]

Thank you Jan. What's interesting about the two, is they are extremely close in die characteristics and probably from the same "tree" of Juncker IAB. I've noticed a few variations in both patterns of "early" variants (with the "sawcut" head) and the "later" early variants (with the splayed-out hinge). This would be my fifth and I'll draw comparisons as soon as it arrives. One being Neu Silber and the other the rare Buntmetall variant below. I have to say though, the Buntmetall/Tombak piece is the finest I've seen yet, in terms of finesse. Nice slim-line badge all the way 'round, including the stock on the rifle. The eagle beek is "complete" which is an added bonus. IMO, the "buntmetall" IAB below was produced shortly after (maybe during) the "early" Neusilber series, but before the "later" splayed hinge type.