Lets talk about rating badges/insignia.

[JustinG]

Greetings,

I have a general question, The naval badges and insignia. I recognize the designs. I have several references, I have been seeing these items often and I am trying to ensure that I don't end up purchasing any post war insignia. How do you folks know if you are buying a true example of the Kriegsmarine and not a later Bundesmarine patch.

I see that ebay is constantly selling these insignia, I have not purchased any of these examples because I believe them to be post war.
It was brought to mind that these rating badges were not worth the thread to make forgeries but I guess I was wrong.

Please share some insight on how one can ensure a accurate piece of history and not a forgery in this field.

Regards,
Justin G.

[JustinG]

Lots of lookers, No responses?

Regards,
Justin G.

[juoneen]

Hang on ...give the troops time to respond. most of the dark naval patches i have had.. had metal insignias attached. On the white versions i dont rightly know...i dont give much value to german navy patches, but i have some ive got from estates with other original stuff i know are originals. Dont know if any of them are the same as you have here, as collecting navy ratings just happens is boring to me . I use the rule of thumb with german navy patches...if they are cheap i buy em, if not i pass. But on e bay id pass altogether. Wait till you learn more before you spring for them. Gotta be a navy patch nut here somewhere.

[juoneen]

heres some similar that are real

[juoneen]

the back closer to see if they are similar.

you might want to post the backs of the ones you show here. Heres the back of a white one, different patch, but this one still has the factory tag on it. Good luck.

[JustinG]

The back of the black trade badges.

[JustinG]

The back of the white.

[John R.]

No problem to let this thread run here, however, the better forum would be over in the uniform and insignia forum. This is their area more than KM Badges.

I suggest you start a new thread there to cover all your bases for this area of collecting.

John