U-Boat Clasp Thoughts?

[josh105]

Would like your opinion on this one! I don't have enough experience with these clasps to be 100% on them! Thus I come to you!

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[josh105]

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[josh105]

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[JAndrew]

The things that I would want to see on one of these clasps I cannot see because of the quality of the photos. I would ask the seller for clear, in focus photos and close ups of the rear with the pin up and showing the lettering on each side individually.

What I don't like and that sends up red flags are 1. the finish does not look like a zinc badge finish and 2. anyone who deals in KM pieces or who is going to sell a relatively expensive KM piece should know what another collector is going to want to see. The fact that those things are not shown and the photos are blurry makes me feel there is something sketchy here.

JAndrew

[josh105]

JAndrew, thank you very much for the response.

I found this badge by random - just walking along a street I often walk and antique stores I often visit. It was very expensive - but the owner was not in just a clerk, and they knew nothing of the badge nor its history of where it came from.

The photos were taken by me with my Iphone, under artificial light. It was the best I could do to being home something to study. I look at other claps, but could not determine it for myself thus I posted it here.

Any information would be great, it would be a pretty big chunk of change to risk - so if these pictures are not good enough, I'll surely let it pass.

[Norm F]

Hi joshlichty,

Despite the dimly lit, slightly blurred photos and smooth surface, I still suspect this is good very worn original 2nd pattern clasp.

But it seems to have lost all of its finish and is down to the raw zinc so you can't tell if it was a bronze or a silver (at least from these photos). And if it's very expensive as you say, one might as well wait for a better example with decent finish.

Best regards,
---Norm

[JAndrew]

Joshlichty,
Thank you for that clarification. One thing I note about the clasp is that it opens upwards. Unusual but not unheard of. Norms points are excellent and certainly if it is really expensive then you should shop around.

If you do a search there are some excellent threads here on this particular badge that could help your decision process as to good or bad. If you want to get an idea of prices you might check on the emedals web site as they usually have a few listed.

I can also tell you that there are two nice ones on estand right now, a silver and a bronze with very realistic prices.

JAndrew

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Josh,

Looks like an original for me as well, and I think I see some remnants of bronze finish on the tips of the leaves, but like Norm says most of the finish is gone.

Tom

[josh105]

Thanks again. I did look around and have an idea of the worth - if my bartering skills are on I might be able to get it for a price that would allow me to bring it to estand and sell it for similar, getting it into a collection instead of having it sit in this store for what will be years I am sure.

JAndrew - the catch has actually been compressed down, so it doesn't open at all, but it opens the typical "upwards" as would be expected. It would just need to be pulled back up 4-5mm to allow the clasp to open again.

I may go try my hand at getting it today if the price allows!

[josh105]

Here are some new shots - and when in hand it seems to be holding quite a lot of finish other than then what the photos show!

[AndyC]

Its a good claps IMO
Looks much better on the last posted pictures



Andy

[JAndrew]

I like it more now as well. Amazing how decent pics can change things.
JAndrew

[josh105]

It is up on e-stand at a good price, I think.

I did some research and that seems to be reasonable and not far off what I paid.

Thanks to all opinions!