So now, turning our attention to the controversial zinc U-boat with the Deschler-style hinge and pin.
The first time I saw one of these I didn't like it. However, now seeing several examples another thought comes to mind.
The Deschler-type pin is interesting but inconclusive so I would just file that observation away for now. Instead, focus on two things -- the catch and the outlines and finishing. These made me think of what we refer to as the "unknown flatback maker", so-called because of the line of combat badges that are generally non-vaulted, solid zinc badges, often with abrasive striations on the reverse. One can find IABs, GABs, Destroyers, 2nd pattern S-boats, ACs, Coastal Artilleries and Minesweepers that seem attributable to this maker. It's not known whether they are for sure wartime or post-war in origin but they look very convincing for wartime manufacture and the diversity of products is notable, and there it stands.
Anyway, a characteristic of the KM badges of this unknown maker is that they used more hand finishing and filing of the outlines than any other maker, such that when you look at the reverses of the same badge type, no two badges look identical.
Here you see a collage of 6 zinc minesweepers from this maker -- no 2 are alike in outlines. Then look back at the 3 examples posted by John of the U-boat and you'll see that likewise all three have differences in outlines on the reverse due to hand finishing. You can also see on the oblique view showing the internal cutouts of the U-boat, instead of the perpendicular shear marks you expect on a die-trimmed badge, you see oblique filing marks such as you often see on the flatback manufacturers products.
The first time I saw one of these I didn't like it. However, now seeing several examples another thought comes to mind.
The Deschler-type pin is interesting but inconclusive so I would just file that observation away for now. Instead, focus on two things -- the catch and the outlines and finishing. These made me think of what we refer to as the "unknown flatback maker", so-called because of the line of combat badges that are generally non-vaulted, solid zinc badges, often with abrasive striations on the reverse. One can find IABs, GABs, Destroyers, 2nd pattern S-boats, ACs, Coastal Artilleries and Minesweepers that seem attributable to this maker. It's not known whether they are for sure wartime or post-war in origin but they look very convincing for wartime manufacture and the diversity of products is notable, and there it stands.
Anyway, a characteristic of the KM badges of this unknown maker is that they used more hand finishing and filing of the outlines than any other maker, such that when you look at the reverses of the same badge type, no two badges look identical.
Here you see a collage of 6 zinc minesweepers from this maker -- no 2 are alike in outlines. Then look back at the 3 examples posted by John of the U-boat and you'll see that likewise all three have differences in outlines on the reverse due to hand finishing. You can also see on the oblique view showing the internal cutouts of the U-boat, instead of the perpendicular shear marks you expect on a die-trimmed badge, you see oblique filing marks such as you often see on the flatback manufacturers products.
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