U boat bullion patch

[juoneen]

I got this back in the early 70's , Whats up with this one...Is it a viable badge or??

[juoneen]

[juoneen]

[Norm F]

I've never seen one like this before and bear in mind my experience is limited, but to me it looks like a modern machine woven reproduction, maybe new when you got it?

Best regards,
---Norm

[Eric JB]

Most think (as I do too) that it is a reproduction while some dealers are selling that badge as an original.

Isn't there a keen marking woven in it ?

yours friendly

Eric-Jan

[Norm F]

You should post this also in the "Wehrmacht Uniforms and Insignia" forum and ask someone like Fred Green to comment on it.

Regards,
---Norm

[Jody]

Cloth U-boat badge

Hello,
These woven badges have been discusssed numerous times before on this forum. These badges are no good (in my opinion). They started to show up in the 1970's when firms like Unique Imports sold them (as reproductions for $14.95 I think). I had one myself and they do usually have the word Keen woven in them. Now that 33+ years have passed they have now become legitimate.

The only cloth U-boat badge that I trust are the examples that are embroidered and these are heavily faked too.

Regards,
Jody

Here is an original embroidered cloth U-boat badge from my collection:

[juoneen]

jody

Believe it or not i got it down your way from LS, before he got married to T.
heres another overall shot...can you see any name on front or back??

[juoneen]

Thanks again for looking at the overall shots...



Now i see something on the right side ....is that what you are talking about....its blue on the back, and the front.....HHMMM.....I see it now....K E E N...so are these now deemed originals, or fakes ? Thanks jody for the help...I have to say i never noticed any mark at all...I just bought it, and stashed it away....but you know that was way before the home computer, or forums, and many things deemed fake have been reversed in opinions.

[John T]

The construction of this patch and materials used are the same as/similar to a run of about 20 copies done about the time mentioned, with many different designs being utilized...the bevo TURKISTAN and HRVATSKA shields come to mind at moment and old stocks can still be found for a few dollars a piece...with this being one of the styles, I can not say for sure if this is an exact one from that run but suffice to say that I am not too keen on this piece...many an old collection seems to have a few examples from this run...

[Militaria-Berlin]

I agree, these are old repros that often crop up for sale as authentic.

The KEEN mark is on the right.

Markus

[Jody]

U-boat

Hello,
I can tell you this, I bought my example as a fake back in the day and I even wore it on my jacket in 8th grade.

As John said, "I am not too KEEN on them". Embroidered U-boat badges are the only ones that I trust.

I have said this before on this forum, we should buy up Frank & Reif U-boat badges. Because 35 years from now they will be considered original. The problem is is that I will be 80's year old.

Jody

[juoneen]

I guess i got nailed back long ago. I think if they ever were to materialize in a photo being worn, then possibly they might be reconsidered. I wonder why they are sold now as originals, when before they were considered fakes?
I just saw on der rittmeister they have an imperial sub badge with 4 piece construction for sale. I guess it just came in, and also has several stamped hollowback versions with different pin configurations...just thought id mention it. Oh and for the post card freaks, if you find any you want hes giving 20%off till the first week of april if you ask . Supposed to have a new load on the 7th, but then the discount will end.
Thanks much for the help on this patch. I guess ill just have to eat this one . i always try and save fakes ive geotten stuck with for reference...at least i didn't pay what some may have...but back in the day 35.00 was a lot of jack...like paying 300 today.

[5ribbonbar]

I too think that these patches are post war...just my opinion based on production and the fact there is little evidence to support them.

I have several versions with the blue backing like this...in particular the Luftwaffe Observer comes to mind...I have seen recently online and will try and find the link to it.

Cheers,

Glen