Unmarked L/56 U-boat Badge

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi guys,

I bought this one over the weekend. I think it is an unmarked Funcke & Brünninghaus from Lüdenscheid. The badge still has a nice sheen to it, although the coloration has faded. In hand, though, it does look more gold-toned than these pictures show.

Best regards,
Tom

[Norm F]

Hi Tom,

Very nice UC# 6.1.2.

Best regards,
---Norm

[scott3000]

Nice

[BubbaZ]

Hi Tom,
Very nice F&BL zincer
Here is mine:
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=727839
Cheers,
Hubert

[Tom Yanacek]

Thanks for the comments, Norm, Scott, and Hubert.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

The unmarked and marked L/56s look nice together.

unmarked L/56 (top)
49.20mm wide
40.70mm high
21.4 grams


marked L/56 (below)
49.31mm wide
40.72mm high
21.5 grams

[Tom Yanacek]

reverse of unmarked (top) and marked (below) L/56 U-boat Badges:

[Norm F]

Great comparisons Tom.

Two badges, same obverse die, different reverse dies, same trimming stamp.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Tom Yanacek]

Great comparisons Tom.

Two badges, same obverse die, different reverse dies, same trimming stamp.

Best regards,
---Norm

Hi Norm,

Do you think it was two completely different reverse dies. Is it possible that they did a production run with the plain reverse die, then took that same die and cut in the L/56 so that the subsequent production runs would have the marking?

Best regards,
Tom

[BubbaZ]

Great L/56 marked example Tom
Cheers,
Hubert

[Norm F]

Hi Norm,

Do you think it was two completely different reverse dies. Is it possible that they did a production run with the plain reverse die, then took that same die and cut in the L/56 so that the subsequent production runs would have the marking?

Best regards,
Tom

I don't think so Tom. Once a die has been hardened it's very difficult to alter it, and they would have to carve out not only the L/56 mark but also the rectangular pedestal in the area of the hinge attachment. The L/56 marked versions were obviously earmarked for private purchase - a smaller market.

The unmarked versions had the potential to be award pieces, but that doesn't mean they were - that kind of determination requires period photographs of them in wear or German vet groupings with provenance which we don't yet have. Also, unlike your nice one, there are many crude examples with slapdash hardware and odd markings that could very well have been post-war assembly which also would be unmarked (like the S&L zinc products in the same city).

Best regards,
---Norm

[Tom Yanacek]

I don't think so Tom. Once a die has been hardened it's very difficult to alter it, and they would have to carve out not only the L/56 mark but also the rectangular pedestal in the area of the hinge attachment. The L/56 marked versions were obviously earmarked for private purchase - a smaller market.

The unmarked versions had the potential to be award pieces, but that doesn't mean they were - that kind of determination requires period photographs of them in wear or German vet groupings with provenance which we don't yet have. Also, unlike your nice one, there are many crude examples with slapdash hardware and odd markings that could very well have been post-war assembly which also would be unmarked (like the S&L zinc products in the same city).

Best regards,
---Norm

Good points, Norm.

Thank you & best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Here is another L/56 that I got this weekend at the OVMS Show in Wilmington:

[Norm F]

Another beauty, Tom. But it's missing its mouth?

Best regards,
---Norm

[BubbaZ]

Hi Tom,
Again great addition very nice L/56 u-boat
Cheers,
Hubert