Auxiliary War Cruiser Badge for review

[ratisbon's]

Hello everyone,

What is your opinion on the finish of this badge? it looks to be rather "thick" however the color looks to be absolutely correct.

Thanks!
Klaus

www.ratisbons.com +++ www.ratisbons.com

[Steve Mezey]

strokes

Definitely refinished you can see the brush strokes? Otherwise a nice piece! I would strip the paint off
Steve
Was discussed before in 2016
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=858726

[Norm F]

Definitely refinished you can see the brush strokes? Otherwise a nice piece! I would strip the paint off
Steve
Was discussed before in 2016
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=858726

As discussed in that previous thread, there are other problems with that badge, so that even if the paint could be stripped I doubt it would be a nice piece. Personally, I don't think it's salvageable.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Steve Mezey]

problems

I was just looking at the refinish and knew I had seen it before when I posted. After reading Norm's assessment and reading the old thread I agree wholeheartedly with Norm. It could only be used as a filler piece or a fishing lure at best. Too many issues.
To bad
Steve

[ratisbon's]

Thanks Steve! We didn't realize we had the badge before! All clear now. Thanks!

[John R.]

Personally, I don't think it's salvageable.
Best regards,
---Norm

I agree. Destroyed by somebody in an attempt to make it a mint example. The color is completely wrong. Here is what one should look like today.

John

[John R.]

Have we not seen other KM combat badges with the applied finish of the OP in recent years?

John

[Norm F]

Have we not seen other KM combat badges with the applied finish of the OP in recent years?

John

This one's not that recent (posted in 2009). Refinished RS&S Minesweeper.

[John R.]

Not the silvery "dipped" look, I mean the exact same golden finish as in the AC at the top. I do not think the dipped (if that is what happened) ruins the badge at all--not original, but not ruined. I think painting and other finishes do ruin a badge to a great extent.

Polishing does not ruin a badge either, and was far more common prior to 15 years ago than today due to collectors preferring untouched badges over polished badges.

John

[Norm F]

Not the silvery "dipped" look, I mean the exact same golden finish as in the AC at the top. I do not think the dipped (if that is what happened) ruins the badge at all--not original, but not ruined. I think painting and other finishes do ruin a badge to a great extent.

Polishing does not ruin a badge either, and was far more common prior to 15 years ago than today due to collectors preferring untouched badges over polished badges.

John

Hi John,

That Minesweeper hasn't been dipped in chemical cleaner; it's been totally refinished in colours alien to original R.S.&.S. finish. Not necessarily the same compound used on the AC badge though.

Most of the numerous examples of refinishing we see are on zinc badges where the temptation is highest to recreate some semblance of the original colour scheme. It's much less common to see refinishing of Tombak badges which can more easily be simply cleaned in a misguided attempt to increase their marketability.

Best regards,
---Norm

[John R.]

Totally alien refinish job? Are you sure it was just not dipped, cleaned, and polished?

Not that many RSS MS badges posted on this forum I think, but will check. Or at least our database thread needs cleaned up.

Could you post one to demonstrate what you are describing?

John

[BubbaZ]

I agree with Norm, that this RS&S Minesweeper was refinished. I also do not like the catch on it - it could be replaced. Original RS&S catches have sharp edges and on that one the edges are slightly rounded.
Here is my badge, unfortunately worn, for comparison.
Cheers,
Hubert

[BubbaZ]

and here is another RS&S Minesweeper that I have in my files which could also be refinished.

[BubbaZ]

and another tombak Minesweeper refinished in similiar manner, this time rare Beco.

[BubbaZ]

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