Blockade Breaker with gilt chain

[Norm F]

Here's a controversial badge that I don't think has been discussed before here?

The so-called "Blockadebrecherabzeichen mit goldenem Kettenrand" whose legitimacy, as far as I know, was granted solely by Patzwall's book "Die Blokadebrecherabzeichen" which says there were period examples yet provides no evidence to support that claim. As Weitze's sales description shows, the badge in question is very similar to the one on the cover of Patzwall's book.

Has anyone heard of these before?

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

The gilding looks quite sloppy, unevenly applied and different from any gilding on other Schwerin KM badges. All other Tombak Schwerin badges used a fire gilding process that would eat through the darkened reverse finish where it overlapped -- not like this at all.

[Norm F]

The comparison to the cover image on Patzwall's book. You can see that the "gilding" is applied differently at the bottom of the ship but otherwise appears the same colour. Could this sloppy brownish tinged pigment be wartime applied? I guess no way of knowing for sure without further evidence, but on the surface of things it does not appear to meet the standard one would expect from early Schwerin production?

[Norm F]

some Schwerin Minesweeper gilding for comparison.

[George L]

I'd agree the gilt looks nothing like what would be found on an early badge....looks more like model paint added to it.

[BubbaZ]

IMO somebody just 'upgreaded' several tombak Schwerins to get higher margin on them. Story behind it does not seem a real one.
Cheers,
Hubert

[greg1878]

Pimped up for me Norm
Best - Greg

[Norm F]

Updating this thread with a badge posted by Peter J. here.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...14#post8067914

A zinc Rettenmaier with a similar crude gilding of the chain wreath. The description from Peter is as follows:

This badge was purchased in the 90's by an acquaintance of mine from one of the Hamburg dealers. Attached was a story about the alleged significance. The content in that statement is unfortunately not clear (crossing the equator or what ever), as my friend doesn't recall. This is all I can contribute, but I thought it was interesting enough to share

cheers
Peter

Although this proves nothing, it does raise an interesting theory, i.e. that such gilding could be an amateur hand-done enhancement on board ship of some unknown significance in regards to accomplishment ("crossing the equator or whatever"). Whether by merchant marine or KM personnel who knows. Anyway, almost certainly it didn't come from Rettenmaier like that.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Martin W]

Although this proves nothing, it does raise an interesting theory, i.e. that such gilding could be an amateur hand-done enhancement on board ship of some unknown significance in regards to accomplishment ("crossing the equator or whatever"). Whether by merchant marine or KM personnel who knows.

Best regards,
---Norm

I'm inclined to agree with Norm's comment here.

It does appear that it is not a factory applied job.

But maybe something that was applied by crewmen after many crossings between Asia and Europe,as a sign of "accomplishment".

Just a theory ?

Regards,Martin.