GWL Cut out Brothers

[Gary B]

Yesterday a friend was nice enough to sell me his silver GWL GAB, the one from the recent GWL horde that is the brother of the Bronze GAB.

I was happy to acquire it for my collection.

Gary B

[Chet Sowersby]

Gary,
Both examples are stunning.

Chet

[swjXE]

Gary,
Awesome, Thanks for sharing!

[Thomas Durante]

Both gorgeous Gary, very nice examples.

Tom

[Gary B]

Thanks for the comments!

Gary B

[Jurgen E]

Wow! Congratulations! Jurgen

[Nicola.M]

Stunning Gabs !!
Congratulations Gary !

Nicola

[Tom B]

Beautiful pair !!!!!!!!!!!! Tom

[vittmann]

hello

Congratulations, rare and beautiful signs
Sincerely, Tutunov

[Nick Carraway]

Stunning examples...just un-upgradeable

[Bruce Simcox]

Hi Gary

......Nice silver GAB.

However, my first question is just what is the bronze GAB?

It seems to me that there seems to be a willingness, in the recent years, among some collectors to accept these badges as legitimate awards.

Has there been any evidence uncovered that can demonstrate that these badges were indeed authorized for production, or even sanctioned for production as prototypes? How about some kind of documentation that would? So far, nothing has appeared during that last 70+ years, since the cessation of hostilities ending the second World War, to support the manufacture of these 'curiosities'.

I find it very interesting that the examples to surface have such pristine finishes. Why is that? Since zinc badges are notorious for losing their finishes to absorption, evaporation or however the finish diminishes, just how is it we're not seeing this phenomenon of a diminished finish on these bronze GAB's that keep popping up post war?

Are there original dies out there being used to create these abnormalities?

I haven't yet seen, or even heard of, any evidence that supports the manufacture of these GAB's. Either official, or in the form of a company directive. Why is that?

So, until we can see some kind of hard evidence that supports the premise that bronze GAB's were authorized for manufacture it is my opinion that we are seeing just more FAKE badges.

To call this bronze GAB a brother of the silver GAB is incorrect. This is giving it tacit approval as the 'real deal' which it isn't.

[Gorg]

Both are gorgeous!

Greg.

[Gary B]

......Nice silver GAB.

However, my first question is just what is the bronze GAB?

It seems to me that there seems to be a willingness, in the recent years, among some collectors to accept these badges as legitimate awards.

Has there been any evidence uncovered that can demonstrate that these badges were indeed authorized for production, or even sanctioned for production as prototypes? How about some kind of documentation that would? So far, nothing has appeared during that last 70+ years, since the cessation of hostilities ending the second World War, to support the manufacture of these 'curiosities'.

I find it very interesting that the examples to surface have such pristine finishes. Why is that? Since zinc badges are notorious for losing their finishes to absorption, evaporation or however the finish diminishes, just how is it we're not seeing this phenomenon of a diminished finish on these bronze GAB's that keep popping up post war?

Are there original dies out there being used to create these abnormalities?

I haven't yet seen, or even heard of, any evidence that supports the manufacture of these GAB's. Either official, or in the form of a company directive. Why is that?

So, until we can see some kind of hard evidence that supports the premise that bronze GAB's were authorized for manufacture it is my opinion that we are seeing just more FAKE badges.

To call this bronze GAB a brother of the silver GAB is incorrect. This is giving it tacit approval as the 'real deal' which it isn't.

Bruce,

This exact bronze badge came out of a recent small horde find with this exact same silver badge. The find was discussed a little while ago on the forum. The small find was from a former GWL worker who took one badge of each produced by GWL and saved them (they were all in tissue). The box was recently found by 2 German dealers. The group also included a KvK document to the individual who had saved these. Also in the find was what some believe was a prototype/pre-production GWL Demjansk shield.

This find went a long way towards proving that these were indeed manufactured pre May 45. The bronze GAB is an identical match to the silver version. The finish is mint but bubbling.

This, obviously, does not prove why they were manufactured. Of course there will be those who want pictorial evidence of them in wear or documentation authorizing them but, as has been seen on may other items, neither of these are currently known or may be forth coming.

Gary B

[Bruce Simcox]

Hi Gary

......We have a difference of opinion, but that's ok.

In my estimation this unique find, to which you refer, goes a good distance in suggesting that these bronze anomalies were manufactured pre May 1945.

My advice concerning these items is simple: Caveat emptor.

Happy collecting.

[Gary B]

Yes we can respectfully disagree but I think what has been presented with respect to this find sways one towards the opinion that these were produced pre-45. The construction/parts of this bronze badge are a dead on for a GWL badge. The finish is mint and not a non plated tombak badge as some have suggested (it is zinc). I am not saying that there are not fakes of these bronze badges but the one in this thread is pre-45, IMO.

This will be like other badges for which there are no pictures in wear or authorization documents: the cloth wound badges, round pilot badge, dotted DKiG, 800/4 S&L RK, higher grades of the KM small combat unit award, black blade Anti Partisan badge etc. Some of these badges have had documentation found in the past few years but then some will say authorization documents do not necessarily indicate the badges were produced.

So it will, in the end, be what one is comfortable with. Shortly after buying this I was offered twice what I paid for it (which was a significant amount for a GAB), so there are others who believe and I think that will be the preponderance of opinion in the collecting community.

Gary B