High Seas Fleet Badge

[Ron C.]

I have never really liked Kriegsmarine stuff all that well, but over the years picked up a few things. I never trusted KM badges that much, because they were highly reproduced years ago, so I never picked up that many. Most all of the ones I have had were either acquired from vets, picked up in Germany at the fleamarkets, or, rarely, taken in trade from area collectors (and maybe only one I have left fits this category). I never got them from the military shows I attended. Someone is wanting to buy some or all of the ones I have, and I am thinking about it; however, I do not know current values at all. The ones I got from vets I have no doubts of at all, but I am not totally sure which are all the ones I got from vets. If you would I would like to know ballpark current values on the KM badges, and your opinions on them. I never ever gave a "lifetime warranty" on any of this stuff, so I would show your opinions to him for him to use in making his decision. I would never give more than a reasonable return on the stuff, because I am not a surety company against future market losses for someone's investments. If I sell something worth $100, and 5 years later the market value drops to $25.....I don't want to buy it back for the $100. Also, once I sell something, I may use the money for something and therefore not have the money to buy it back. Finally, I don't know that at some distant time I could be sure it was the same one I sold him......I can't remember where and when I got everything now, and have no idea what I will be able to remember 5 or 10 years into the future . I thank you for whatever information you may be able or wish to provide me.

Thanks,
Ron

[John R.]

Have changed my opinion to upgrade it to a medium example of this badge in zinc based on the obverse gilt finish. John

[Ron C.]

Medium example of this badge in zinc. John

Again, thanks John.

Ron

[mrg]

Hi Ron nice original and not a bad example of a Zinc type . Has a very good amount of finish, have seen alot worse, higher medium end i would say but it really depends on how much a buyer is prepared to pay. All the best

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Ron,

Imo you have a nice earlier zinc example - with the harder to find plated (now bubbling) reverse finish. The finish is looking a bit funky, but condition is pretty good. You should be looking at US$3-400 for this one.

Regards
Mike

[Ron C.]

Hi Ron,

Imo you have a nice earlier zinc example - with the harder to find plated (now bubbling) reverse finish. The finish is looking a bit funky, but condition is pretty good. You should be looking at US$3-400 for this one.

Regards
Mike

Thanks Mike. No, the guy wasn't a friend....just someone who knew me from when I used to collect actively. I just think he thought I might let them go for around what they used to bring when I was active.

I just decided to keep them a while longer, based on his offer. I really wasn't trying to get rid of my stuff now; however, since I was not a real Kriegsmarine fan I was considering it until the last contact. I wasn't trying to sell the stuff, and I wasn't even considering a few of the pieces.......it was maybe going to be all the KM badges or none. Thanks again for the information.

Ron

[Ron C.]

I decided not to sell this one, or any of the ones I had, to the guy I mentioned before....the one who offered $30 for the Auxiliary Cruiser badge......since he offered me $25 for this one. Instead I am giving it to my son too, since he now has an interest in some of my stuff.

I did try rephotographing it with a different background. I am beginning to think that it isn't so much the background as it is me. I am now a few months over 75, and my hands shake since my stroke that I can't hold the camera still like I used to do. I can't keep from hitting the wrong keys on the keyboard, and the truth (as much as I hate to admit it is I am an "old fart" now and I am nearer the end than the beginning....a whole lot......but I am still trying, I hate giving up). I guess I will have to try to dig out my other equipment and set it up and use my tripods and lights. I just have to get downstairs, find it and see if I can put it back together from were ever those guys working here stuck it.

I think my black velvet background is best......I wonder where they stuck it. It was the old velvet, not the crappy stuff they sell now.

Ron