RS&S High Seas Fleet, Opinions please

[bratwurstdimsum]

Hi there,

This one has come up for offer, I'm not very familiar with Rudolf's handiwork in the HSFs, any opinions? what is this made of ? Buntmetal, Zinc?

[Martin W]

Nice zinc badge by Richard Simm & Sohne with a wide pin.Examples can also be found with a needle pin.

Regards,Martin.

[Don D.]

I would like to just point out the sloppy crimp jod on the hinge/catch compared to the badges here: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ghlight=RS%26S

[Mike Kenny]

I agree with Martin, a genuine zincer with original darkening finish.

Don, yes, this one has a messy hinge but from experience the ball hinges on these can work loose and start rotating around, so it's probably been "tightened" with light/small hammer taps at some stage. The pics aren't the best, so some sort of hinge/pin replacement is possible (using original parts though) although in this case I think unlikely.

Regards
Mike

[bratwurstdimsum]

Thanks for the input guys, in your opinion, and I know its hard to tell from the photos, will this badge last the distance in terms of the fact that it IS a Zinc and will "corrode" over time? I'm conscious of the return for investment and that the onset of zinc pest and discolouration of the gold might devalue the badge in years to come.

[Martin W]

I have a couple of zinc badges in my collection that i have had for 20 years.They have shown no sign of deterioration.I keep them in the dark,i handle them as little as possible,and when i do i use cotton gloves.A little vaseline on the reverse has halted any kind of corosion developing.
So far it's worked for me.

Regards,Martin.

[bratwurstdimsum]

Martin,

Okay a really dumb question, can you put vaseline on the FRONT or obverse of the badge ?

Jeff

I have a couple of zinc badges in my collection that i have had for 20 years.They have shown no sign of deterioration.I keep them in the dark,i handle them as little as possible,and when i do i use cotton gloves.A little vaseline on the reverse has halted any kind of corosion developing.
So far it's worked for me.

Regards,Martin.

[Martin W]

Jeff,

front or back is OK.I would only apply it to the obverse of a badge if it already has signs of corosion(zinc pest).However,i have heard that vaseline can be a deterrant?
Try a search in the Conservation/Safe Keeping forum.

Regards,Martin.

[mrg]

Nice original and with a good amount of finish too . RS&S are one of my favourite designs of all the HSF awards. All the best