What do you think of this unmarked Auxiliary Cruiser Badge ?

[AlexV]

Hi !

You can find pictures of the badge at http://www.angelfire.com/pq/thewolf1/ACB.html
Sorry for the ads... It's the "cost" of free web hosting. If someone wants to copy the pictures here, no problem !


I've got this unmarked Auxiliary Cruiser Badge badge from a MAX Certified Lifetime member.

It looks good, but when I compare it to others Kriegsmarine badges I own, the finnish looks more like a "painted finnish" than a fire-gilding finnish...

Is it normal ? Anything bad about this badge ? Maybe it has been repainted (if yes, what a wonderfull job ! - but what a bad news ) ?

Thanks !

Alex.

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Alex,

Re the badge, others know this type better than I so I'll leave authenticity comments to them.

Re the finish, it's a zinc-based badge so I wouldn't expect it to be fire-gilded. As to being refinished, that's quite possible - either that or it's mint. Check very carefully on the separately attached globe for ANY traces of gold paint - if you find any it's most likely been refinished. From the images, the obverse bottom of the globe, just left of the wreath tie, looks like it has gold ?spray? paint on it.

Regards
Mike K

PS: welcome to the forum!

[AlexV]

Check very carefully on the separately attached globe for ANY traces of gold paint - if you find any it's most likely been refinished.

From the images, the obverse bottom of the globe, just left of the wreath tie, looks like it has gold ?spray? paint on it.

I don't see any paint on the globe. Can it be removed once installed ?

No paint or spray left of the wreath tie, but it looks like it on the picture...

[AlexV]

Anyone have a comment about autheticity or about the finnish of the badge ?

Thanks !

[George Stimson]

I think that it's a good badge and that it was made by Foerster & Barth. I have one just like it.

[emaroli]

There are also minesweepers and GAB's with this type of pin set up.
Ed

[rhudspith]

Re-Finished?

From the photo I think this might have been re-finished as one would normally expect the finish wear on the back of the badge to match the front. In this case it does not, the other two examples shown generally do.

Regards
Rob

[Frank Heukemes]

Hard to tell about the wear. Most allegedly Foerster & Barth KM badges actually DO have a matt grey reverse finish with just the setup finished in gold, so Alex´badge does not have to be refinished. That reverse finish might actually be "mint".

In addition to what Ed said, there are also HSF badges by Forster & Barth with that pin.

Cheers, Frank

[AlexV]

From the photo I think this might have been re-finished as one would normally expect the finish wear on the back of the badge to match the front. In this case it does not, the other two examples shown generally do.

I think it matches on both sides, but it's very difficult to say even with the badge in hand...

[AlexV]

Does the globe part can be removed on this kind of badges ? I don't want to do it !!!

[AlexV]

Globe part

So, can it be removed ?

[George Stimson]

I suppose if you drilled out the rivet ( ) the globe could be removed.

[AlexV]

I suppose if you drilled out the rivet ( ) the globe could be removed.

Good, so once it's on, it's forever... So a faker can't remove it to repaint the badge...