Steel Assmann GAB

[Nicola.M]

Hello to all guys,

Would like to show with you my recently addition to collection. A steel hollow Assmann Gab with the tipical set-up for this pattern.

[Nicola.M]

Looking the other showed on the forum I saw that there are two different models.

The first is all “cut-out” with the two holes between the swastika and baionet /Stielhandgranade, and the other pattern is an half “cut-out” with only cut on the left of the swaz.

[Nicola.M]

In the half “cut-out” I saw that there are other two different type, some badge has the dotted on the leaves and on the eagle head, so for all Gab's wreath, some other badges instead of, like mine, are without any dotted, leaves and on head too.

In the half “cut-out” pattern I saw that the badge with dotted are without any die, instead in the badge without dotted are there some die on … inside the red circles in photos…

What does it mean this? Is only because the factory stamp became dirty and used and that change the quality during the years because used a lot?? became the quality because the badge was in steel?

But why in the “without speckled” models are there hovewer the stem on the leaves ?? If the die was used and can’t print the dotted I think that it can’t print the stem too…
And I supposed to find some steel Assmann Gab with partial dots on the leaves… made from the partial used stamp… and not find “with” or “without” dots.

What your tought guys?

thanks to all those who will help me to make clear in my mind

All the best
Nicola

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi Nicola,

Two other examples can be found in this thread:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=223768

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Here are a couple of newer pictures of my example:

[Nicola.M]

Thanks you Tom for adding your example..
What you thing? are two different mould or is only one that became worn and lose the dots?

Nicola

[Tom Yanacek]

What you thing? are two different mould or is only one that became worn and lose the dots?

Hi Nicola,

I struggle to answer that question. Perhaps the only way to be certain would be to have both types in hand and to carefully examine each with some magnification. In looking at the photos, I do see some differences in details but a lot of similarities too. The differences could just be due to the different lighting and shadow effects of each image. I suppose it could be two different dies (one with distinct stippling and one without) or the one without stippling being the result of a worn dies as you suggest. But one thing I notice is that both types have stippling when viewed from the reverse. Another possibility to consider is that both types were struck from the same dies but from different production runs with different stamping die pressures. If the stamping press was set for less pressure on a particular production run that could explain why some have indistinct stippling.

I did a side by side compare of both types (front & back) but I don't think it helps much.

Best regards,
Tom

[vonStubben]

Just throwing this out there. We know that Assmann had at least four molds for their late war zink injection molded GAB's, perhaps they had just as many when producing the steel examples.

[Giel VW]

Thanks you Tom for adding your example..
What you thing? are two different mould or is only one that became worn and lose the dots?

Nicola

That's impossible, the wear would not look that consistent on the three examples. The only explanation here is a worn out die.

[vonStubben]

That's impossible, the wear would not look that consistent on the three examples. The only explanation here is a worn out die.

I can agree with that too. As a matter of fact, here is a photograph from Michael Tucker and Stephen Previteria's book, "German Combat Badges of the Third Reich" Vol. 1, printed in 2002. This badge (it used to be mine) can be found on page 124. Prior to the publishing of this book the steel Assmann GAB was considered fake by most dealer/collectors, but since it's publishing such badges have become center pieces in Assmann badge collections.

If you look closely at the picture, on both the obverse and reverse of the grenade head you will note a wide crack which was filled with zink filler to close the gap, and then issued.

Just imagine the forces in stamping such a thick planchet of steel (these badges are much thicker than other hollow, die stamped badges). One can imagine how quickly this die went bad, but it still amazes me that they would take the time to fill the crack and move it along. This example is also void of the stippling seen within the outer rim and leaves.