U Boat Badge , "RK" Maker

[gunbb]

Saw this today and just wondered. With all my books, I don't have a good one on KM stuff. The badge is Zinc and whereas it's well made, the pin is straight , like jewelry , top to bottom. Just wondered what anyone knew about these. It's so simple, it's hard to believe someone would make these. Real maker, fake ?? Thanks, BB

[R Blum]

A picture would help.

[gunbb]

A picture would help.

Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to post pictures. You can email me and I will have them. BB

[BubbaZ]

Hi,
There are three different variants of RK marked zinc u-boat badges. They are attributed to R. Karneth or R. Kreistel, both from Gablonz.
There are very good fakes of these awards so without good images there is no way to say if it is ok.
Cheers,
Hubert

[gunbb]

Hi,
There are three different variants of RK marked zinc u-boat badges. They are attributed to R. Karneth or R. Kreistel, both from Gablonz.
There are very good fakes of these awards so without good images there is no way to say if it is ok.
Cheers,
Hubert

Any links to pictures of those badges? Thanks, BB

[Norm F]

Any links to pictures of those badges? Thanks, BB

Typing "RK U-boat" in the search function will show various threads on the topic including this one:
http://wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/s...21#post5804221
The search function is your friend.

And don't forget the pinned database thread at the top of the KM forum for all badges:
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=236772

The forum is well-organized for accessing information in the pinned threads, and the search function facilitates easy research for free. If you choose to become an Association Member you can post photos and access the fakes database as well.

Best regards,
---Norm

[gunbb]

Typing "RK U-boat" in the search function will show various threads on the topic including this one:
http://wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/s...21#post5804221
The search function is your friend.

And don't forget the pinned database thread at the top of the KM forum for all badges:
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=236772

The forum is well-organized for accessing information in the pinned threads, and the search function facilitates easy research for free. If you choose to become an Association Member you can post photos and access the fakes database as well.

---Norm

Well compared to those shown in those threads, it appears to be a real one,however there is absolutely no sign of any finish other than zinc . I have to say, it looked like costume jewelry with a swaz!! I offered $25 and was turned down . They said they will think about it. Now that I know it's real, what is the badge worth , low end?? Thanks BB

[Norm F]

Well compared to those shown in those threads, it appears to be a real one,however there is absolutely no sign of any finish other than zinc . I have to say, it looked like costume jewelry with a swaz!! I offered $25 and was turned down . They said they will think about it.

Hi BB,

Like any hobby, the more study you put into it the more satisfaction you get out of it, and there are many high-end (and low-end) reproductions to beware of when first starting out with KM badges.

Without posting images, the community here can't help out beyond recommending you put more time into studying the subtleties by means of careful side-by-side comparisons to originals, and familiarizing yourself with the more common fakes.

Here's one of the threads showing a high-end reproduction to get you started:
http://wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/s...d.php?t=685362

Best regards,
---Norm