HSF Badge from Tirpitz

[AndyC]

I have had two HSF from Tirpitz but a only have one left
Her is two pictures of mine


Andy

[AndyC]

And the back

[JAndrew]

Andy,
What a wonderful piece to have in your collection. It is beautiful, almost makes one want to strip them down to the base metal. I am very jealous. Thank you for sharing this.
JAndrew

[AndyC]

Here is a before cleaning picture
Well its no finish left but i know were its came from and i like to have it in my collection


Andy

[KBR]

Very nice AndyC

[AndyC]

Thanks i dont want to take over the thread but you and i have some badge that came from the same ship


Andy

[KBR]

Composite,
I really prefer as mint as I can get for pieces in my collection but something like this would be a center piece to me. What a wonderful item. I also remember the previous threads and the underwater pics on these badges in the mud. Were you part of the group that found them?
It also goes to show you why they used teakwood for decks. Nice condition for 70 years under water.
JAndrew

Thank you JAndrew No,I was not one of group that found them.

A video of Tirpitz being hit by tallboy bombs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfzLdNGk-MQ

Strange to think that these badges was inside the ship.

[John R.]

As I think I have said before Andy, really nice restoration work on that badge and a great addition to any collection.

John

[KBR]

Thanks i dont want to take over the thread but you and i have some badge that came from the same ship


Andy

No problem AndyC Thanks for sharing

Like John Robinson said, a really nice restoration

[AndyC]

As I think I have said before Andy, really nice restoration work on that badge and a great addition to any collection.

John

Yes i know John but its still a badge in not so good condition, it have only the history.

I am looking after a HSF in good condition to complete that part of my collection


Best

Andy

[amiklic1]

Hey, there is another one on this part of the world, now composed on a nice display.

On top is the Tirpitz badge on a piece of original Tirpitz deck wood, with Tirpitz commemorative badge below it. Than there is Vikind WW2 period Tirpitz metal model, and on the bottom is the Tiritz wall plaque, also original WW2 piece.

Enjoy

[John R.]

Yes i know John but its still a badge in not so good condition, it have only the history.

I am looking after a HSF in good condition to complete that part of my collection


Best

Andy

Andy, how does one really put a value on provenance and history? That is a great badge you have, but I know you know this and are being modest.

Same to all the other artifacts collectors have saved from this ship. Really nice displays.

Here is an example from Blucher. No, not found on the wreck, but belonged to one of the officers. An ordinary HSF badge? No way. Awarded 5 Jan 1942.

John

[Norm F]

I couldn't agree more. When you get right down to it, it's the history of indviduals and their experiences in a tumultuous time that makes this hobby so fascinating, not just a piece of pretty metal that glistens in the sunlight. A badge represents a sailor's experience in dramatic and dangerous times, and when you hold it in your hand, whatever knowledge you've previously acquired about the lifestyle and times becomes focused through that artifact to give you an appreciation and "feel" for the time beyond a typed list of facts. In other words it brings history to life like a little time machine giving you a glimpse into the past.

Sure a mint badge is gratifying too. Again, to me it represents the appearance of the badge to the sailor when first receiving his award at the end of a tour -- transforming a black and white documentary into a vivid colour re-enactment.

Every piece has it's place in the heart of its collector, but this hobby is not about pretty baubles.

Best regards,
---Norm

P.S. Andy, I wasn't suggesting you thought any different from the above. I just felt like putting the thoughts down in writing.

[Diver]

To amiklic1 and John:

[KBR]

+1