U-Boat Badge Unique Real and one fake

[Rommel1933]

I am indexing my collection.

I have two U-Boat badges...

The top one I feel is real and unique. This is made by Foerster und Barth of Ludenscheid. It has a L/21 on the clasmp but no other markings. I have the original box. I found on the net that this is the real deal...

As much as I wish I am 99% certain the bottom one is a fake. It says a Maker Mark of "Frank and Reif Suttgart, Germany.... I believe this is a widely accepted fake and indisuptable since Frank and Reif never made a UBoat badge???

Thank you !

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Rommel1933 and welcome to the KM forum!

I think you are correct re your evaluation of the 2 badges. I can't see anything wrong with the L/21 from the pics - it looks like a very nice example - and the F&R is a known fake.

I suggest posting the case in the case and packets forum but it was my understanding that this type of case is modern.

Regards
Mike

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello,

L/21 U-boat Badges do indeed exist, but all the ones I have seen have been in zinc. If yours is zinc, it has a finish that I would consider "almost too good to be true". The case for that one is a "lattice" fake, IMO, so that adds a bit more suspicion to the badge as well. Maybe you can post larger, straight on pictures of both the front & reverse?

I'm afraid you are correct about the Frank & Reif: A well-known fake.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Figured I would enlarge the pictures a bit. It does look like the base metal is zinc. I don't recall ever seeing an L/21 with this nice of a finish.

Best regards,
Tom

[Rommel1933]

Thank you for the inputs... You have me a little nervous now. I took this bigger pic but I really think the between the flash and light it makes it look better than it is. However, the back looks untarnished. I appreciate the honest feedback even though its a nailbiter.. LOL.

[Rommel1933]

I did find a great website showing the different models... Then again, one has to assume that the source is legitimate as well... Midway (no pun intended) down the page this shows the l/21 Foerster uboat badge... I have studied this intimately and do not see any variation?

http://www.unterseeboote.co.uk/kriegsmarine2.htm

I know this may not matter as reproductions were probably taking place during the War itself. However, I did get this from a very well known friend that is over 75 years old... I don't have the heart to tell him the Frank and Reif is a reproduction. I know he coveted that medal and it would hurt him. I figured if one of these were good I will be estatic....

Interesting that even the case is after market though! I am wondering if he didn't get the case for the Frank and Reif and put the l/21 one into it.....