Cave Creek Specials x 2.

[dragnet]

I do belive ive managed to ID these two

[dragnet]

2

[Norm F]

Hi dragnet,

The Fleet badge is indeed a known fake but not the classic "Cave Creek special" as defined by Mike Kenny here:
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...04#post2200204

Having said that, jwburchell previously posted the same type as yours, acquired at a MAX show in 1999, which he rightly or wrongly attributed to the same source as the earlier Cave Creek specials, i.e. "Pieces of History" in Arizona.

The Minesweeper also is not a Cave Creek special. In fact, that one may actually be an original that has been heavily cleaned and polished, thus softening the detail and lightening the finish. I'd like to see better straight-on images as well as closeups of the hardware and margins if possible.

Here's a classic "Cave Creek Special" fake Minesweeper for comparison.

Best regards,
---Norm

[dragnet]

Cheers Norm, sorry for bad picks but the best i could do with crap lghting at the auction house, not if these extra shots help
The HSF first....

[dragnet]

Ms.......

[BubbaZ]

Schwerin minesweeper looks good to me
Cheers,
Hubert

[james m]

What exactly is a "Cave Creek Special"?
Jim

[ETN]

Do specials still come out of cave creek or did they go out of business?

[ETN]

What exactly is a "Cave Creek Special"?
Jim

Here is a primer on the subject:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...+Creek+Jackson

[Norm F]

Do specials still come out of cave creek or did they go out of business?

I think the answers to those questions are no and no. According to the "Pieces of History" website, Lowell Jackson (formerly of Cave Creek, Arizona) sold the business of that name to the current owner in 2010 but continued in friendly contact with them to ensure a smooth transition. Perusing the current vendor's site, it now seems to be a legitimate purveyor of inexpensive novelty badges and pins as a "tribute to history" with no claims to sell original badges. It doesn't say where they are physically based at this time or in what country the products are made.

Lowell Jackson continues to have tables in military shows like the SOS. I don't think it's known where the badges were actually manufactured -- both then and now -- irrespective of where he sold them.

Best regards,
---Norm