Fakes of the RS&S Fleet and other ball-hinge badges

[Norm F]

A second one, this time a wide pin variety. From a different seller but apparently from the same "maker".

[Norm F]

Two fakes side-by-side. Identical "scratches" in the reverse and the same incorrect crimping.

[John R.]

Very good fakes, could easily sell online or at a show.

Thanks for providing these Norm.

We are at the point where nearly every badge needs to be compared side by side to a period example unless 100% sure.

John

[Norm F]

We are at the point where nearly every badge needs to be compared side by side to a period example unless 100% sure.

Fake on the left, originals on the right.

[John R.]

I do not think these were made to order in some country outside of Germany. I think these were made by an individual dealer almost as a hobby to see if he could do it.

There is not enough of these to warrant a factory in China to make them, these were made in a workshop in somebody's basement IMO.

Lot of effort, not much payoff. The person that made these is just trying to see if it passes as an original and if they can make a few dollars or euros, extra satisfaction.

Your side by sides above show how hard it is to spot by all but a few collectors. The catch crimp is an example, very hard to see the difference. The pin, not so good, nor is the ball hinge when expanded to the size of my computer screen. In hand, different story.

Bottom line, all RSS ball hinge badges should be posted for examination unless you have an Ipad or something like that to use at a show.

I see collectors using them these days with period examples ready for use. Then they snap a shot of the badge and do a side by side on the spot. Still, you need to know what you are looking at.

John

[Norm F]

Hi Guys,

Here's another example like the one at the start of the thread. Very nicely done but a good quality casting, in my opinion. In the comparison of the reverses of the two fakes you see the same 3-dot flaw on the wreath and the same shape to the eagle's head which is slightly different from originals.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

The closeups tell the story. Again the hardware isn't crimped but instead is soldered into cast reproductions of the crimps. You can see a casting seam in the internal cutouts as well. Another one for the books.

[Norm F]

A couple of nice originals for comparison from past postings. Note the texture, finish, shape of the eagle's head in outline and the hardware crimps, and compare that with the cast fakes in the previous post.

[stukapilot]

Just to add originals I used to have.

[stukapilot]

One more.

[stukapilot]

details