Strange GAB

[Eric K.]

Hello,I got this today with a few other awards straight from a Vets son but i believe its a fake.I asked him about it and He told me he has know idea but Its been in his Fathers box for as long as he can remember.Also got an easternfront and KVK 2ndKlasse and these are fine.To me it looks cast and the eagles head is terrible???any suggestions?

[Eric K.]

Eagle,these pics are probably enough but if you want a shot of the back I'll post it.

Thanks guys!!
Eric

[Philippe DB]

Hi Eric,


Nothing wrong with that badge. It's the type with the ball hinge I assume. One of the most common GAB's arround and the eagles head goes from acceptable to completely messed up. For sure something must have damaged the die and I also find it strange the nobody bothered to repair it. If I'm not mistaken, but I have to look it up, these also exist as hollow buntmetall variants and on these badges the eagles head is much nicer. I'll see if I can find a pic of one tonight.

KR
Philippe

[Eric K.]

Holy Sh**,I always figured the craftsman ship sets the original apart from the fakes.I bet the guys were pissed when they recieved this one!And it does have the recessed ball hinge,Thanks .


Eric

[Eric K.]

they could have at least filed this down a bit

[Darrell]

they could have at least filed this down a bit

Possibly the bombs were falling and sh!t was flying ... I wonder what that fellow would have done if you told him he missed a file spot

[Eric K.]

I could see maybe missing one,but look at the bayonet handle!! Even with bombs falling surely he couldnt miss that one

Thanks again Philippe!

Eric.

[Darrell]

I could see maybe missing one,but look at the bayonet handle!! Even with bombs falling surely he couldnt miss that one
Eric.

Heheh ... maybe true, but I've never had the pleasure of working under those conditions, so I wouldn't want to make any judgment on why it was missed

[Frank Heukemes]

Quality on badges certainly varies, even among earlier types, so the "bombs falling" scenario is not applicable, in my opinion. As Philippe said the die got more and more damaged. This is one of the (if not THE) most common GAB to be found and it comes in many sub-variations and it is obvious from studying the leaves on several examples that even for the zinc massive ones two slightly different dies have been used. Maker is Rudolf Karneth, although no marked badges have been found yet and they probably do not exist marked.

[Chris Taylor]

As Frank said a definite RK badge.


Here's a photo of one I just sold on the Estand.

[Chris Taylor]

& the back for comparison.

As well as the "smashed" looking facial features, the ball hinge & catch are also dead give aways....

[Frank Heukemes]

Another area to look for is the 6 o´clock obverse. The wreath damage broadened the badge considerably in that area, it is much worse than on Chris´example on some of those. This obverse damage must have resulted from the constant crimping of the catch on the reverse.
On some of the latest GABs of this type the detail of the leaves and eagle´s chest feathers is really bad and looks "worn" even on mint badges.