Opinions on 4 KM Badges

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello John,

Sorry to say, but I think that all four are fakes. The High Seas Fleet doesn't look too bad, but the bridge windows look really sloppy. The hinge and pin look acceptable on the reverse, but I don't like the Bock and Schwerin markings at all. The E-boat is definitely bogus in my opinion. On the front it is missing the long latching device for the torpedo tube cover. On the reverse, everything is wrong. The pin, catch, absence of catch plate, top hook, and the Peekhaus/Schwerin markings are all wrong. The base metal doesn't look right either. The Destroyer Badge is definitely bogus in my opinion. The most obvious thing wrong on the front is the forward main gun. I don't like the coloring of the badge either. I don't like the pin on the reverse, and the Schwerin markings are not correct. I don't like the Minesweeper Badge either. The hinge is not correct for an early buntmetall badge, and the maker markings are not correct in my opinion. What are your opinions on these badges, John? I know that you know your badges, and I am impressed by your knowledge. I would really like to hear your opinions on these.
Best regards! Tom

[John T]

Hi Mike, trident3 and Tom..thanks for your comments:


Tom:

My opinion was that the E-boat badge was fake for the reasons you stated. I also felt that the minesweeper was fake, hinge looks wrong, lettering too perfect. As for the HSF, I was on the fence on that one because it had a very faint fifth window but I eventually felt that it was fake as the lettering on the reverse was off (for example look at the crude "O" in "ADOLF"). As for the destroyer the interesting thing about that one is that it has the horizontal "line" on the waves that you see on authentic destroyer badges but then again the lettering is too perfect on the reverse--actually as I look at it now it looks like the line is cast in and it extends for about 1.5 cm on the waves. The source of these badges was a well known "reputable" badge dealer from New Jersey (those of us who knew better would not buy from that person). I think in the days before the internet these fakes fooled many people to include my friend. He paid good money for the badges at the time...I think 350 for the E-boat, 300 for the HSF, 165 for the Minesweeper and 245 for the Destroyer. If anybody has any further observations on these badges that would be great, John

[skip]

John,

no further observations than to agree with the others that they are bad.
Unlucky for your friend and probably to long ago to get a refund.
That hurts, ouch!!
Maybe you guys should tell the other Forum members the dealers name or website to save a few other people some bucks.

Skip

[Philippe DB]

Morning John,

I can only agree with what already has been stated by the other guys. All of these badges are very good fakes but at the end they all have shortcomings when compared to the originals
I just read that we started with a fake gallery and these badges for sure merit a prominent place in the KM gallery.

KR
Philippe

[münster]

Damn,looks like a lot of work went into those

[mrg]

Have to say good quality repros, close but not close enough .All the best

[John R.]

fake gallery

Philippe,

Where is the fake gallery on the forum?

[John R.]

Philippe,

Where is the fake gallery on the forum?

Oh, I found it. John

[Ludwig]

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