U-Bootfrontspange in Bronze Typ2 opinions please

[Stepdale]

John,
I can't speak to the use of the fluted pin by manufacturers outside of Gablonz, but I do know that several versions of the AGMuK close combat clasp used this same pin.
Dale

[Norm F]

Norm,

What do think about the pin? Meaning, clearly, at least to me, the pin was not made in Gablonz. It is exactly the same as any other SB U-boat frontspange pin. So was it contracted out to a supplier as others have theorized even when the clasp was made in Berlin, then that supplier continued to ship the pin to the late war manufacturer?

It would indicate, if correct, that the pin was never made by Schwerin.

John

Hi John,

All the 2nd pattern U-Boat clasps have the fluted pin and are presumably Gablonz-made, not just the example in this thread. In contrast, the 1st pattern U-Boat clasps with the soldered hardware and non-fluted pin show typical Schwerin zinc badge construction.

Like Dale says, the fluted pin is certainly on A.G.M.u.K. products (example shown) but also turns up in late wartime in Lüdenscheid along with crimped technology -- possibly techniques and materials from Gablonz -- although it's hard to say where the pin is actually manufactured originally.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

Here's Pavel's previously posted photo of the ground-dug badges found on a single site in Gablonz. A nice snapshot of unfinished and rejected planchets from a single maker which includes the AS in triangle Minesweeper, the AS in triangle PAB, the W&L crimped wound badge, the Schwerin 2nd pattern U-Boat clasp and the A.G.M.u.K. close combat clasp.

Also Pavel's research showed Adolf Scholze's accounting books listing Schwerin and W&L among his biggest customers in late 1944. It's thanks to Pavel's research that we have this connection.

Best regards,
---Norm

[John R.]

Thanks Norm, makes sense to me now. John