Fake vs. Original Aurich Küstenartillerie ( Coastal )

[Norm F]

Hi Guys,

As some are aware by now, a single Staegemeir fake of this type made it into the "The Kriegsmarine Awards", something which will be remedied in the supplement. It is an unfortunate testament to the quality of this reproduction and the need for constant vigilance.

In anticipation of the published addendum, I'll post here a summary of the features to look for in identifying reproductions of the HA Coastal Artillery badge.

Over the years of forum postings several of these fakes have been posted and they fall into two categories. The earlier "Type 1" is easily identified by the obverse while the "Type 2" is more easily detected by the reverse. Both however show a variety of obverse finishes which do not match the originals. The Type 2 is clearly Staegemeir in production values while for the Type 1 the source is not clear, although usually attributed to Staegemeir as well.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

Firstly, as reference, here are some compilations of details on genuine Hermann Aurich Coastal Artillery badges to use as a reference when judging any example.

In the first you can see here the gilded hardware and the typical tooling marks on the upper part of the main round wire pins. As well, the hinge pin typically extends a bit out from the hinge.

In the second you see the maker's mark and the catch crimps. The catch crimp patterns always vary slightly between genuine examples and there should always be a slight gap at the base of the wire where it enters the crimp.

[Norm F]

Now, here you see a sampling of reproductions in the top row compared with a sampling of genuine badges in the bottom row. You can see a variety of convincing looking finishes on the fakes but none of them match the typical finish of the genuine badges. The typical finish of a genuine Aurich has a silvered base coating to the entire badge upon which the gilding is applied to the wreath and the reverse, a darkened finish to the gun and wave feature with a final white frosting then applied to this feature. The gilded finish rubs off the reverse with wear and fades to a light olive over time.

[Norm F]

When it comes to high quality reproductions, a key feature is that they clone small irregularities of the sample upon which they are based so that tiny features that by rights should differ between examples instead are reproduced in every fake.

The Type 1 fake is easily identified from the obverse by two features:
1) There is a notch in the end of the gun barrel.
2) There is the identical pattern of "zinc pest" reproduced in the area of the wreath between the gun barrel and the eagle.

[Norm F]

Now to the reverse. Here are compilations of the type 1 and type 2 fakes showing salient features.

The crimps of the type 1 all show the exact same crescent-shaped deformity on the lower left. Similar, yet different, defects can be found on originals but they vary between examples whereas on the fake they are all identical. Note also that the main pins lack the proper tooling marks on the upper end. Finally the finish is variable and incorrect, and on originals the hardware should be gilded.

The Type 2 fakes again show exactly cloned crimp features, this type characterized by a semi-circular crimping line in the exact same spot on all examples. Note too that the wire catches are soldered into the cast crimps so they lack the small gaps at the base that you expect on originals. The maker mark on this type always shows a specific deformity on the left of the "A" which must have originated on the original sample that was copied. And once again the main pins lack the proper tooling marks and the finish is wrong.

So there you go. Two fakes de-bunked but we must remain ever vigilant in the field for future variations.

Best regards,
---Norm

[BubbaZ]

Fantastic detective work Norm
Thank you!
Hubert

[Pepe77]

Good job Thanks!

[freeman]

I agree with Hubert ,that Norm is a fine piece of work,it should be pinned.
Regards
Michael

[BubbaZ]

it should be pinned.

I am not sure, by doing so we will knock at Hero's door with a gift...
Cheers,
Hubert

[BubbaZ]

Another example of type 1 fake.
Cheers,
Hubert

[John R.]

Re-titled thread.

Thanks Norm.

John

[Norm F]

Another example of the Type 2 fake

[Norm F]

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[Norm F]

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[Norm F]

another recently posted example of the "Type 1" fake showing all the typical features described earlier