F.O. High Seas Fleet Badge

[rbminis]

Hello,
Today at a local gun show I helped an acquaintance to discover that the high seas fleet badge he had was made by Friedrich Orth. The maker's mark was very difficult to see but I took it to a well lit area and was able to determine who it was made by.
My question is, are they fairly common or are they somewhat rare?
Thanks for any info.
Ralph.

P.S. By the way, it was in very good condition retaining most of the original finish with a little verdigris around the hinge.

[Norm F]

Hi Ralph,

The f.o. Fleet badge is actually quite common overall, but of the 6 variants in the classification table, it's harder to find FC# 2.3.1 (separate hardware with raised oval rim for the hinge placement and a "box" or "+" stamp) or FC# 2.3.2 without breakage of the cast-in hinge and catch (the two in the attached image).

And there are fakes too, of course, so it's always best to post images.

Cheers,
---Norm

[rbminis]

Hello Norm,
Thank you for the info.
It was the cast hinge and catch example. I had no intention of purchasing so I did not take any photos. He was just trying to figure out who made it.
I was just curious as to the rarity of these.
Ralph.