IAB Opinions please

[JaimeH]

Front

[JaimeH]

Back

[Indy]

hi JaimeH

Do you have big and clear pictures of the Wernstein (W) mark and hinge?

regards

Indy

[JaimeH]

That's about as close as I can get.

[Waffen-Mike]

Hello JaimeH

I have some concerns with this IAB, the detail and overall sharpness is lacking in some areas and the pitting (in particular on the back) is something you typically do not see on originals. Based on these pictures, IMHO I would say this is a reproduction. Lets see what the others have to say about this IAB.

Best Regards
Mike

[Indy]

Oh..Mike

I have a similar idea to you. The "W" is a bit different from mine and others.

JaimeH, please check it out here....
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/asso.../iab_index.php
you will find there is a bit different from yours to others

regards

Indy

[Alex K.]

Looks like on of these ground dug founds from Russia, selled en masse by a german dealer

[Frank Heukemes]

Absolutely, these are indeed original but grounddug and rotten. Most have been chemically cleaned and this one probably also received a refinish to the obverse. This hord find had IABs and PABs, all Wernstein.

[Hans N]

Frank,

do you have any more info regarding these grounddug findings in Russia?

[Frank Heukemes]

Nope, just what I mentioned. You can find one of these occasionally on offer. Condition is always very similar.

[JaimeH]

I purchased this one at the 2003 Max. I Think the dealer was either Swedish or Finnish.