U-Boat badge opinions please

[andya]

Hi
I am only collecting Army from now and this is the last Naval badge to go. Just want to check it is ok. Quite heavy and appears to be brass-is this correct?
thanks in advance
andy

[andya]

rear

rear

[andya]

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[Tom Yanacek]

Hello Andy,

Sorry to say, but this looks to be a fake, probably cast off an original badge. U-boat Badges by Friedrich Orth should only be found in zinc.

Best regards,
Tom

[andya]

Thanks Tom
Not disputing what pou say but there is no way this is a casting. I put this up for review a few years ago but thought it best to double check before selling. The badge has been gently cleaned of the mess with warm water and soap but apart from that is the same as the badge in this link:
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...php?t=82435.So you comments come as asuprise to me.
any other opinions?
thnaks
andy

[Martin W]

Hello Andy,

U-boat Badges by Friedrich Orth should only be found in zinc.

Best regards,
Tom

I can only agree with that comment.The FO sub badges have been faked a lot in the past and this could be one of them.Are you sure the base metal is brass?

Regards,Martin.

[John R.]

This does not look to be tombak. I bet it is zinc and looks to me to be a good one. I remember this old thread due to the rectangle on the bottom of the reverse.

Could you check the measurements for us:

Width and Height plus weight in grams.

For now, I think it is possibly OK. John

[andya]

Thanks to all
Weight is 19.9g. Width I would say is 48mm and height 39mm. Cant find the calipers and used a ruler so not 100%.
Look forward to further opinion.
regards
andy

[John R.]

Slightly smaller than standard dimensions, but I think there is variation allowed there.

Standard:

49mm width

40mm height

20.8 grams

So, there is some difference, but I am not sure it means much. John

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello Andy,

If I erred in my initial opinion about your badge, I do apologize. You did say that your badge appeared to be brass and if that is the case, the badge is definitely bad. Now on the other hand, if the badge is in fact zinc, then I do feel better about it. The thing that still concerns me, though, is that the badge still does not look like zinc to me. I don't understand why a zinc badge would have all of that green patina on it. Zinc will not develop that type of patina. Since the finish on these was merely a gilt wash, I can't see how the finish would develop that green patina either. Something does not look right about the base material used for this badge. I will say that the detail does look good on the front, and the badge does not display the typical flaws that are associated with the fakes of this type. I don't like the fact that reverse of the U-boat has a sunken-in look to it. Shouldn't the reverse on this type of badge be completely flat?
But if this badge is zinc, and everyone else thinks it is ok, then I would give it my endorsement as well. Still, the pin is either a complete replacement or an original pin that has been messed with. The fit around the hinge is way too sloppy. Also the catch with catchplate is a replacement as it is not proper for this type. I would have to examine this badge in-hand to be completely certain, one way or the other. It might help if you can provide more accurate dimensions when possible.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

This example is an original to the best of my knowledge. It is zinc and measures 48.79mm wide x 39.77mm high and it weighs 20.6 grams.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

reverse:

[John R.]

Nice to have Tom's badge with which to compare. If the badge is real then Tom is correct, the catch and pin would have had to be replaced as the catch is not standard to this badge and the pin is too loose around the hinge.

John

[Tom Yanacek]

Here is another example of a zinc f.o. This one measures 48.86mm wide x 39.82mm high. The weight is 20.4 grams. Also completely original, in my opinion.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

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