Unmarked Auxilary Cruiser Badge

[Mark McShane]

An unmarked single piece zinc badge. reverse is dished. What do you think?



Mark

[Mark McShane]

Unmarked AUx Cruiser

The reverse

[Mark McShane]

Unmarked AUx Cruiser

The hinge

[Mark McShane]

Unmarked AUx Cruiser

The catch,

[Martin W]

Mark,interesting badge.I've no idea who the maker might be.
From the pic's it looks like the globe has been re-finished with silver paint?

Martin.

[Joe Slavick]

Does the post the guy is holding have a (spear) point on the top or is flat?

Isn't the pin and catch a typical RS set up?

Joe

[Martin W]

Joe,i don't see the distinct spearhead normally found on Souval badges.Also all the Souval badges i have seen have a rectangular box on the top of the reverese,a guide for the placement of the hinge.

Martin.

[Mark McShane]

Martin,

The obverse is exactly like my F&B badge. You mentioned in a message a while back about how you thought F&B were handing out their medals to other makers. Could this be the case?

The hardware reminds me of SHuCo


Mark

[Martin W]

Hi Mark,like you said,it was just a thought.Years ago i was told by a long time collector that he beleived some manufacturers "farmed" their products to other compaines.Whether this was for reverse hardware placement or finishing i do not know.I do need to ask him on what evidence this theory is based.
Can you post your other F & B badge for a comparison?

Thanks,Martin.

[Mark McShane]

Martin,

Here is the F&B badge. The unknown badge above is not as heavy or as thick as the F&B. The dishing on the reverse is the same.

Cheers,

Mark

[Martin W]

Mark,well your new badge could be by Foerster & Barth.It's not Schwerin,Juncker,Souval or F.O.As mentioned before on another thread the Auxiliary Cruiser force was very small compared to the Fleet,Minesweepers or Destroyers.Surely there were not that many makers of the awards?
It seems also that F&B made badges of both single and two piece construction.

Regards,Martin.

[Mark McShane]

Guys,

Been thinking about this one now for some time. Although not very clear in the picture of the reverse, the badge is dished and it is more significant around the sail area. What production process would be employed here to produce a badge like this? I'm thinking it can only be die forging.

Just trying here to have a tangible link to the first badge and the heavier F & B badge also posted here, same obverse/die, same construction process. Of course the hardware doesn't match!!

Any further comments on the finish on the first badge?

Cheers,

Mark

[Darrell]

Any further comments on the finish on the first badge?

Cheers,

Mark

Hi Mark, as with many zinc badges, the "mint" type finish always raises suspicions. It's only natural. The silver globe does look "different", but not one I'd automatically toss out as refinished.

A simple test is to try removing a small portion with an Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover. If the finish (either the gilding or silver) comes off, then I would be suspect.

[Mark McShane]

Nothing Moving

Hi Mark, as with many zinc badges, the "mint" type finish always raises suspicions. It's only natural. The silver globe does look "different", but not one I'd automatically toss out as refinished.

A simple test is to try removing a small portion with an Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover. If the finish (either the gilding or silver) comes off, then I would be suspect.

Darrell,

I tried the nail varnish remover on the wreath, globe & reverse. None of the finish came off or was in any way affected.

Cheers,

Mark

[Darrell]

Darrell,

I tried the nail varnish remover on the wreath, globe & reverse. None of the finish came off or was in any way affected.

Cheers,

Mark

That's a good sign