Opinions Please - U-Boat Wernstein

[ekrogh]

I would appreciate opinions on this Wernstein U-Boat badge. It possesses most of the textbook Wernstein characteristics, but I am concerned about two issues: 1) the hull has a large gash toward the bow (casting evidence?) and 2) the pin is short and pointed as opposed to long and unpointed.
Thanks for your input!

[ekrogh]

Wernstein Reverse

Here's the reverse.

[ekrogh]

Wernstein Obverse Detail

Here is the detail of the hull showing the "gash".

[Lorenzo Brown]

Hi Erik. The badge looks authentic. I believe that the pin has been replaced as they are usually longer and soldered directly to the hinge-pin as shown below. The gash looks like it it has original gold gilt on it, so it may be a casting flaw. Hard to believe that the badge would have been issued with such a large gash on the obverse like that.