GWL IAB - One last Max find

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys, last one. A great quality GWL IAB. This one has about 75% of the original finish on the obverse and really displays well. The eagle is beautifully detailed on these GWLs, for a cast badge. The cast in hinge and catch are typical for GWL. The hinge pin is brass and contrasts sharply with the rest of the badge and is punched with a very fine cross hatch pattern on both sides to keep it from falling out. It matches exactly to the setup of my GWL Nahkampspange.

Thanks for looking.

[Thomas Durante]

2

[Thomas Durante]

3

[Thomas Durante]

And finally the maker mark.

Thanks for looking .

[Philippe DB]

Hi Tom,

I couldn't agree more.
GWL was without a doubt one of the better makers of awards. Quality wise their Heer KM and LW badges are better than the average maker. Their IAB for me is one of the nicest designs around and with the finish in tact they are just beautifull.

KR
Philippe

[Tim B.]

Very nice Tom!

I am not normally into the zinc pieces, but I have always liked the GWL design on the IAB.

Tim

[Master3477]

another nice IAB

KR
Sven

[MH184]

This is one of our Skip's favourite badges by GWL, he has a lovely one too.

Tom you did really well at the Max and your No 4 EK2 looks fine to me.....again lovely condition !

Kr

Marcus

[skip]

Indeed, just about my favorite maker of all badges.

GWL rules
Skip

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys, thanks for the replies.

Philippe, I agree, GWL Kriegs and luft badges are very nice. I found an unmarked mint GWL Destroyer. I mean this thing was stone cold mint. It was a bit pricey, but a real killer piece. If I have any regrets from the MAX, its not buying this Destroyer.

Tim, I agree that zink badges aren't the best, but the finish on this GWL is very nice in hand and the price was right. Frank H.'s love of zink badges might be rubbing off on me a little .

Thanks for the great comments guys.

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello Tom,

Looks like another nice MAX SHow find for you. Very nice condition. I have always liked 'GWL' badges of any type. To me, a zinc badge is as desirable as an early quality one. The only important thing to me is that it is original. So long as the item is original, it is every bit the piece of history.
Best regards! Tom

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Tom,

I agree, zink badges are just as good as a tombak piece, but usually the quality is lacking. On this GWL, it is zink AND cast and still has awesome detail. I just love how the setup and especially the hinge pin material and crimping matches their CCC setup. Very cool to see.

[Tom Yanacek]

Hey Tom,

You're right! It is neat to see how a particular manufacturer's little production details carry over to the different badges that they produced. I can tell that you have an eye for those little details, and that is so important in this hobby.
Best regards! Tom

[Thomas Durante]

Tom, thanks for the compliment. You have a great eye for detail too, and that this forum is great to meet people like you and compare notes. I've have learned a lot from your posts. Keep it up

[Brian Dentino]

Tom, loving this one too! Congrats on your show finds!