Destroyer Badge

[manders163]

I have just been offered a destroyer Badge with makers mark F.O.
I have searched the forum but cannot find any pics or threads to compare it
to, do any of the members have any pictures or advice to give before I go any further?
Thanks in advance
Shaun

[Philippe DB]

Hi Shaun,


Here you go, pictures aren't that good but I hope they can help.

KR
Philippe

[Lorenzo Brown]

IMO the buntmetal badge shown above by Philippe is a reproduction. Authentic FO destroyer badges are zinc. Attached is a link to an authentic FO Destroyer badge.
http://lbmilitaria.homestead.com/files/destfo2.jpg

[Philippe DB]

And here is another one in zinc.

Wouldn't know if the first one is a repro, these are the only Fo Destroyers I have in my files. Not really my speciality these badges but now that I come to think about it all the Fo KM badges I know of are indeed zinc badges and the first one I posted features a typical buntmetall setup.

KR
Philippe

[Lorenzo Brown]

The buntmetal FO badges were sold en masse on Ebay about 5 years ago, along with the fake RS&S "buntmetal" HSF badges. They were all minty and being replaced on auction each time one sold. They are made of a whitemetal (not tombak) and were slightly soft in details...although at first glance they appear good. Neither the FO nor the RS&S buntmetal badges are of the same design as their authentic zinc counterparts.


Attached is another example of the fake FO buntmetal badge.

[Lorenzo Brown]

Reverse

[emaroli]

Yes the 'early' style F.O. is a forgery. I believe this piece, the S.H.u.Co. Coastal Artillery, and the Schwerin HSF " missing the search lights" were all made by the same forgers. This is in addition to the RSS HSF as mention by Lorenzo.

Ed Maroli

[Lorenzo Brown]

Good point on the "SHuCo" Coastal Artillery badge, Ed. That is another high quality fake that collectors need to be wary of. Here is a pic:

[Lorenzo Brown]

Reverse

[emaroli]

Unfortunately this piece is shown in the Forman's 2nd edition price guide as being real.

Ed

[Lorenzo Brown]

Yup!!..And many collectors who have these in their collections will argue that they are real. These fakes are VERY WELL DONE!

....c'est la vie....

Here is a pic of the fake RS&S HSF:

[manders163]

Thanks for all the replies here are the pictures I have been sent. Any further opinions would greatly appreciated.

Thanks Shaun

[skip]

Hi guys,

I personally would tend to stay away from this Destroyer. If you really want a buntmetal piece I would wait for a Schwerin or the much nicer GWL to come along.

Skip

[emaroli]

One final thought that a friend pointed out. Not only is the Fake SHuCo Coastal Artillery shown as original in the 2nd edition of the Formans Price Guide. It is also the ONLY badge in the entire book that does not have a photo credit. I wonder why? Ed Maroli