Unmrked Josef Bergs - JB&Co

[Panzercracker]

Just picked this nice one up: An unmarked bronze example by Josef Bergs. The finish is a little lighter than the marked ones I've seen, but mostly intact and shows some honest use.

--Rgds, Ken

[Panzercracker]

Another shot of the backside...

[Panzercracker]

Couple more shots...

[Panzercracker]

L@@KING g00000d on a light blue background --in a box...

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Ken,

Nice original, but are you sure about the bronze finish? Looks like paint rather than the high quality bronze brennlack we are used to seeing of Gablonz-made badges like AGMuK CCCs and MK IABs, etc.

Tom

[Panzercracker]

Hi Tom. I had that concern in the back of my mind when I starting bidding on it, so I put my cap on what I'd pay for a silver piece. That said, when I did the acetone test, it took a fair bid of rubbing before anything came off -on the reverse. So yes, it did eventually fail. That said, acetone tests will "eat" late war finishes. I've seen an array of color variances on these late war finishes, all the way from dark brown to the lighter "tan" seen here -including tints of "green" or "olive". It's been a while, but I remember a thread with one of S.H.u.Co examples with a lighter tan finish like this. Not many unmarked bronzes, save the marked ones to compare it to either. Of the 60+ examples on both forums, I counted about a little over a dozen in bronze -most, if not all, were marked JB&Co.

--Rgds, Ken

[Panzercracker]

Here's a few more pics under natural light from various angles.

--Rgds, Ken

[Panzercracker]

...

[Panzercracker]

And one last pic of the front, under natural light. These pics pretty much describe the badge as my eyes see it. It has a "busy" wear pattern front and back, and, for my money, an original bronze grade --albeit a "later" J. Bergs "design".

--Rgds, Ken

[Panzercracker]

Well, if that late war "Bergs design" piece didn't dazzle anybody, maybe this unmarked badazz 5-stem SHuCo will??? Now that's an eagle head that's hard to beat.

--Rgds, Ken

[Bruce Simcox]

Hi Ken......

......I like both of your bronze IAB's.

Nice score on the unmarked JB&Co. I have to say the Shuco is nice too.

[Panzercracker]

Thanks Bruce. I haven't got the unmarked one yet, but when I do, I'll post some better pics with the JB piece. I have to agree with Tom that some of these pics give the impression of a repaint, but it's not. Actually the later war finishes on the Bergs' are "thrifty", to say the least, but the color on this bronze example is appealing IMO.

--Best Rgds, Ken

[scott3000]

Nice Badges

[Graeme]

Hi Ken

The finish looks a little strange to me. You have the badge in hand, what do you think about the pin and ball hinge looking like they have a distinct silver finish (see post 7 for the ball hinge).
Would it be possible to get some clear shots of the inside edges, they seem to show a silvery colour in places, but that could be an illusion. For example the underside of the sling and inside the wreath.

cheers
Graeme

[Panzercracker]

Hope your still awake Graeme. I let my wife take these next six shots of the unmarked Bergs badge, as she's better at adjusting the settings etc. --There's no silver finish on this badge and nor was it chemically stripped or repainted. I have to say she's better than me... Haven't got that unmarked "Heubach design" badge yet, but what's interesting from the seller's photos below, is that it appears to be an earlier plating, not Brennlac or other late type finish. IMO, that's an earlier zinc based "Heubach". BTW, I went through all the Bergs IABs and the unmarked silver ones always have a weaker type finish compared to their marked counterparts, which is why I mentioned "later issue" earlier.

--Rgds, Ken